Very recently, Dr.Sopon conducted a survey on Malaysian property markets.  The findings are very interesting for Malaysian investors as well as real estate professionals in this region.

 

On March 15-16, 2019, there was the MAREC 2019 (Malaysian Annual Real Estate Convention) organized by the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) in the Berjaya Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.  Dr.Sopon Pornchokchai, President, Agency for Real Estate Affairs who is also a council member of the ASEAN Real Estate Network Alliance (ARENA) was invited to this event.  There were some 300 participants.  He conducted a survey to some 60 participants who are mostly senior real estate agents in Malaysia.  The following are the results:

 

Market Assessments

Malaysian economy was assessed at 5.4 out of 10 in 2019.  This implied that the economy was not performing well this year.  However, there was a hope that in 2020, it would be somewhat better at the score of 6.7 out of 10.  Considering Malaysia property markets, it was assessed at 5.2 which was slightly worse than Malaysian economy.  However,  in 2020, it should be recovered.  It was assessed at 6.6 out of 10 in 2020.

 

Assessment of Malaysian Experts

Assessment	2019	2020
Malaysian Economy	5.4	6.7
Malaysian Property Markets	5.2	6.6
Note: Full score is 10.

 

All types of residential properties including low-rised residents as well as apartments and condominiums were thought to be the top hopeful sector at some 31%.  Industrial properties including warehouses and factories were the second in the priority at 28%  Commercial properties including shopping centre, plaza, shops were the third at 24%.  Then it was landed properties at some 6%  Other developments constituted some 12%.
Sectors Booming in 2019

 

Real Estate Sectors which is booming in 2019

Residential	31%
Industrial	28%
Commercial	24%
Landed Properties	6%

 

Most Renowned Developers

According to Malaysia property experts who are mostly agents, the SP Setia was among the top developers with a total vote of 29%  the Eco World was the second in the priority with 21%  Other renowned developers including IJM, Sunway, Sime Darby, IOI Group, Mah Sing and the like.  The SP Setia is a developers in many  states in Malaysia as well as in Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, China, Japan and the United Kingdom.

 

Most Renowned Real Estate Developers in Malaysia

SP Setia	29%
Eco World	21%
IJM	9%
Sunway	8%
Sime Darby	6%
IOI Group	5%
Mah Sing	5%
Others	16%

 

Where to Buy Abroad

It is interesting to see where would Malaysian Buyers would buy property abroad.  It was found that Australia is the top in the priority at 22.5% followed by Singapore at 19.2%, United Kingdom at 16.6% and Thailand at14.9%.  There were also a diversity of countries of interest.  Although Australia is the top destination, there was also some blocks to buy properties there.  Whereas, properties in Singapore and United Kingdom were very expensive.  Hence, Thailand might be a realistic option for Malaysian investors.

 

Where Malaysian Investors to Buy Properties Abroad

Australia 22.50% Singapore 19.20% UK 16.60% Thailand 14.90% Vietnam  4.20% India 3.90% China 3.10% Cambodia  2.30% Hong Kong 2.30% Indonesia 2.30% USA 2.30% Philippines 1.70% Germany  1.40% Japan  1.10% Myanmar 1.10% New Zealand 1.10%

 

In sum, Malaysian economy and Malaysia property markets were assessed a little pessimisticly in 2019; however, in 2020, they were appraised better.  This implies that the markets would recover over time.  Currently, all types of residential properties including low-rised residents as well as apartments and condominiums were thought to be the top hopeful sector.  Whereas, the SP Setia was among the top renowned developers with a total vote of 29% followed by the Eco World and the like.  Although Australia, Singapore and United Kingdom were among the top destination to buy properties abroad, Thailand (ranked the fouth in the priority) might be more realistic to invest.