iProperty.com.my has revealed the 10 most searched areas by Malaysian homebuyers in the year 2020.
The list looks at data for the highest number of searches among homebuyers who visited the property site from January to December 2020. The search data is captured by iProperty.com.my, with the properties being ranked in ascending order and the popularity being displayed in terms of percentages (%).
#10: Kota Damansara
Percentage of views: 6.79%
The improved amenities and infrastructure coupled with improved connectivity make this township in Petaling Jaya a widely searched area for homebuyers to live in. Additionally, the MRT Kota Damansara makes travelling to other parts of Klang Valley much easier.
Kota Damansara offers properties from all ends of the price spectrum. The median price for a condominium is RM600,000 whereas the median rental price for a fully furnished 3-bedroom 1,237 sq. ft. condominium unit is RM2,300. This area is accessible via LDP and NKVE and is only a short drive away from Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara and Damansara Perdana, among others.
#9: Rawang
Percentage of views: 6.93%
Rawang has undergone nearly 200 years of change since the British Malaya era. Today, Rawang is flourishing and has never looked more promising. It has progressively developed by transforming an ordinary old town into an urbanised township. The fast-growing property development and demand has opened the residential property market in Rawang. Landed houses are in an affordable range compared to other parts of Klang Valley. According to Brickz, the median price for a terrace house in Rawang is RM289,000.
This had led to buyers becoming less hesitant to the idea of moving to Rawang. It also has the potential to attract local and foreign families who wish to own a landed property in Rawang as there are options for vernacular, national, and international schools. The nearly 60-metres-tall Rawang–Serendah bypass eases the journey to Serendah, Selayang, and KL city centre. It cuts the journey down from two hours to just 30 minutes during peak hours.
#8: Tropicana
Percentage of views: 7.57%
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort is an exclusive and all-inclusive gated community. This 625-acre upscale township is located in the prime suburb of Petaling Jaya and is home to residents who enjoy the convenience and comfort of resort facilities right on their doorstep. This township offers a mixture of link, semiD, and bungalow houses overlooking the charming landscape and surrounded by lush greeneries. The median price for a bungalow at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort is RM2.3 mil.
#7: Ipoh
Percentage of views: 7.71%
Ipoh is the capital city of Perak and it is one of Malaysia’s biggest attractions. This former mining town is located about 200 km from Kuala Lumpur (KL) and 150 km from Butterworth (mainland Penang). It charms its visitors with attractions like Concubine Lane and Birch Clock Tower, and it is also the gateway to Cameron Highlands.
Based on listings on iProperty.com.my, terrace houses in Ipoh are ranging from three to five bedrooms with built-up sizes within 1,200 sq ft to 4,550 sq ft. The median price for a terrace house in Ipoh is RM220,000. Ipoh is also number one for the top five areas in Malaysia for properties below RM500,000.
#6: Ampang
Percentage of views: 8.22%
Ampang has been long known for its exorbitant real-estate prices and wealthy residents. Besides Mont Kiara, Ampang is also favoured by expatriate communities due to its amenities like international schools, private healthcare facilities, and entertainment.
Ampang is also home to a large Korean community in the Klang Valley. This area is ideally located close to the KL Golden Triangle and major roads and highways such as Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang, AKLEH and MRR2 are moments away. This affluent township is also listed as the top 10 most searched areas to rent in Malaysia in 2020. The median price for a condominium in Ampang is RM1.15 mil.
#5: Damansara Heights
Percentage of views: 9.67%
The enclave neighbourhood of Damansara Heights or Bukit Damansara is dubbed the Beverly Hills of Malaysia as it is sprawling with bungalows, villas, and other luxury residences. Its immediate affluent neighbours are Bukit Kiara, Sri Hartamas, and Bukit Tunku. The median price for a bungalow in Damansara Heights is RM3.5 mil.
Other than upper-class Malaysians, expatriates are flocking to this area for its trendy nightlife and entertainment, as well as a selection of bars and restaurants. It is also surrounded by a network of highways and main roads such as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Jalan Damansara, and Kerinchi and Damansara Link. Access to Sultan Abdul Halim Highway is also seamless due to its proximity.
#4: Cheras
Percentage of views: 10.6%
Cheras has remained in the top five for the most searched areas among Malaysian homebuyers. Even though it went down one spot to the number four position in 2020, Cheras is still popular among homebuyers and potential buyers. Cheras isn’t only one of the townships with the easiest access to the main rail lines, it is also one of the most searched areas to rent in Malaysia in 2020.
The readily available public transportation services and amenities, as well as a range of houses and price spectrum, make it favourable among house hunters and investors. The median price for a condominium in Cheras (KL) is RM350,000.
#3: Shah Alam
Percentage of views: 10.66%
This Selangor state capital is Malaysia’s first planned city and known for its family-friendly attractions like i-City. The LRT Bandar Utama-Klang Line or LRT 3 connecting Bandar Utama to Johan Setia in Klang will not only alleviate travelling time to other parts of Klang Valley but will also boost the capital growth of properties in Shah Alam especially those projects nearby the train stations.
The new LRT line will be extending the connectivity of two million people in the Western Corridor to other parts of the Greater Klang Valley. There are at least 4 properties in Shah Alam near LRT 3. The median price for a condominium in Shah Alam is RM390,000.
According to the H1 2020 Portal Demand Analytics by iProperty.com.my, Shah Alam recorded a positive YoY residential property demand, standing at +7.63%. With countless public parks, shopping malls, attractions, and things to do in Shah Alam, it is the natural choice for homebuyers.
#2: Petaling Jaya
Percentage of views: 15.6%
Petaling Jaya, popularly known as PJ has levelled up from the sixth spot last year to the 2nd in 2020. It’s also one of the most search areas among renters in 2020. The reason PJ makes it into the list year after year is because of its proximity to KL and the endless amenities readily available in the area. As far as shopping is concerned, there are a few shopping malls within its vicinity. Besides the ever-popular 1 Utama, there are smaller neighbourhood malls such as Paradigm Mall, Atria Shopping Gallery, and Starling Mall in Damansara Uptown.
The LRT 3 will further alleviate the public transportation service in PJ as it allows seamless commuting to Bandar Utama, Shah Alam, and Klang. There will be five LRT 3 stations within the PJ area.
#1: Johor Bahru
Percentage of views: 16.24%
Johor Bahru tops the chart for the most searched areas among Malaysian homebuyers in 2020. Johor is an attractive residential option for many foreigners who work in Singapore. Nevertheless, the closing of the Johor-Singapore border due to COVID-19 have dampened their purchasing sentiment.
According to the H1 2020 Portal Demand Analytics by iProperty.com.my, the terrace house category is the only one that remained steady in terms of median prices. For H1 2020, the terrace house segment recorded YoY capital gains of +4.97% and the median price was RM360,000.
