21/05/2026

PROPERTY THURSDAY | MAY 21, 2026

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Is subsale the safer route for buyers now? KUALA LUMPUR: The conflict in West Asia, initially seen as mainly affecting the energy sector, is now being described as a global supply crisis due to widespread disruptions across international trade networks spanning all industries. o Rising costs and economic uncertainty viewed as pushing purchasers towards completed homes over new developments evaluate the surrounding neigh bourhood, existing amenities and accessibility before making a decision. “This reduces uncertainty com maintain consistent loan repay ments,” he said.

achieved full take-up, the strong response to SouthPlace 2 reflects buyers’ confidence in our developments. We are grateful for the support of our main contractor Inta Bina, our architect HMSK Architecture, and the Tropicana team for their dedication to quality delivery.” Tropicana has partnered with home renovation experts The Makeover Guys to deliver a seamless and elevated homeownership experience. Purchasers can choose from three curated designer furnished themes that deliver style, comfort, and value. In addition to a host of exclusive benefits, homeowners will receive a Designer Furnished Package worth up to RM60,000, applicable to both 2 bedroom and 3-bedroom units ranging from 758 sq ft to 1,003 sq ft. This offering is made even more accessible with monthly instalments from as low as RM1,467, making designer living a reality at an unbeatable price. He added that another critical factor is financing costs, namely interest rates, which are determined by the monetary policy of Bank Negara Malaysia and may fluctuate in response to economic conditions. “Any increase in rates will raise monthly repayments, particularly for floating-rate loans. Another risk is property depreciation, especially if the purchase is made in areas with weak demand or oversupply. “In an uncertain market, property performance is not uniform, with some areas more vulnerable to price pressure than others,” he said, adding that buyers must also consider liquidity risk as property is not an asset that can be easily sold in the short term. Meanwhile, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Mara (Seri Iskandar campus), Dr Azizul Azli said the local property market is expected to experience three key impacts following the West Asian crisis. The first impact will come from rising crude oil prices, which will place direct pressure on the national economy. “When oil prices increase, it also affects the cost of construction materials such as steel and cement, as well as transportation. As all these costs rise, the cost of building homes inevitably increases. “Second is labour costs. When prices of materials rise, wages also tend to increase, contributing to higher land prices. “Third is transportation costs. In the construction sector, the cost of delivering materials such as cement and concrete can be high, especially when project sites are far from raw material sources,” he said. As a result, the ongoing tensions are expected to impact new construction, including projects launched this year. – Bernama

pared to new projects that are still under construction or have yet to begin, where buyers must rely on plans and future projections. In addition, subsale home prices are generally closer to the current market value as they are based on actual transactions in the area. “In uncertain market conditions, this clarity helps buyers make more rational decisions and reduces the risk of overpaying relative to real market conditions,” he said. As for new housing projects, Mohammad Mujaheed said it is important to note that in Malaysia, such developments are still subject to a regulatory framework and over sight. He also said that new projects do have their own advantages, including more modern designs, updated facilities and potential capital appreciation if developed in strategic locations supported by sound planning. Elaborating on the risks of purchasing homes during periods of economic uncertainty, Mohammad Mujaheed said such decisions must be assessed comprehensively be cause the risks involved go beyond property prices and extend to the buyer’s long-term financial capacity. One key risk is the rising cost of living. As inflation increases, daily expenses such as food, transport and utilities also rise, reducing disposable income available to service housing loans. “This can put pressure on household finances, especially in the early stages of ownership. There is also the risk of income uncertainty. “In an unstable economic en vironment, certain job sectors may be affected, potentially leading to reduced income or job loss. This directly impacts a buyer’s ability to

What began with rising global fuel prices and energy supply disruptions across much of Asia following the outbreak of the conflict on Feb 28 has now evolved into a broader strain on global supply chains. This has, in particular, led to higher prices of goods and services, driven by escalating logistics costs and mounting inflationary pressures. The impact is also being felt in Malaysia, especially among industry players, even though most citizens benefit from fuel subsidies. The construction sector, for example, is reportedly facing a 30% to 40% increase in building material costs, with significant implications for housing and infrastructure projects. This situation is likely to expose buyers of new homes – whether currently under construction or to be built later – to greater financial burdens and potential project delays. Against this backdrop, some see the secondary property market as a more attractive alternative for prospective homebuyers. But how accurate is this perception? Elaborating on the current situation, urban planning expert Dr Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan said from a market mechanism pers pective, the rise in fuel prices triggered by the West Asian crisis does not stop at higher logistics costs, but will spill over into other sectors. The senior lecturer in urban and regional planning/community de velopment at the Department of Social Science and Development, Universiti Putra Malaysia, said consumers are already feeling the effects through weakened purchasing power as prices of goods and services climb. Corporation Bhd has marked a key construction milestone for Tropicana Metropark’s SouthPlace 2 Shoppes & Residences with a recent topping off ceremony, signifying the completion of the development’s structural framework. Spanning 88 acres, the integrated township has recorded an encouraging 80% take-up rate, reflecting a strong market response to its well-balanced mix of residential, commercial, educational, and recreational components. The development is further enhanced by a dedicated link bridge to the Federal Highway, ensuring seamless connectivity. The ceremony marked the timely progress and delivery of SouthPlace 2, which is targeted for completion by March 2027. To further assure its purchasers, the quality of this development will also be assessed by workmanship certification body Quality Assessment System in

market is more active. “However, this opportunity is more relevant for buyers with stable financial standing who are purchasing for owner-occupation. In such cases, the decision is driven by long-term needs rather than expectations of immediate gains,” he said. By way of example, he said in areas with several subsale units possessing similar specifications, buyers can compare prices and negotiate to achieve better value. However, he stressed that not every situation should be viewed as an opportunity. If a purchase is made in an area with weak demand, oversupply or prices that are out of sync with market conditions, risks remain, even in times of crisis, he added. “Likewise, if buyers commit beyond their financial means, any advantage gained through negotiation will not reduce long-term risk. Buying a subsale home during a crisis can present an opportunity for those who are prepared and financially disci plined. However, it requires careful evaluation as not all market situations offer the same advantages,” he explained. Commenting on whether it is safer to buy a subsale home or a unit in a new housing project, Mohammad Mujaheed said amid the current geopolitical uncertainty, purchasing a house in the secondary market may offer a higher degree of certainty, though it is not necessarily better in all circumstances. He said the key advantage of subsale homes is that they are already completed and can be assessed directly. Buyers are able to inspect the physical condition of the property,

“When inflation rises, some households become more cautious about making long-term commit ments such as buying a home. However, this does not mean the housing sector will be adversely affected overall,” he said, adding that based on data from the National Property Information Centre (Napic), Malaysia’s housing market is still moving, although performance varies by state, region and subsector. He also dismissed the notion that the country’s construction sector would be significantly impacted, but noted that developers may become more selective about future projects, particularly in areas where demand has yet to be firmly established. Mohammad Mujaheed added that uncertainty in West Asia could influence the interest rate environ ment and the cost of housing financing. “In an environment where finan cing costs are potentially higher than before, purchasing ability becomes more constrained for certain buyers, especially in price-sensitive seg ments,” he said. On suggestions that buyers should consider purchasing subsale (second hand or preowned homes) properties instead of homes still under con struction, Mohammad Mujaheed said the decision ultimately depends on the buyer’s financial capacity and the property’s location. “In a more cautious market environment, there is a tendency for sellers to be more flexible on pricing and negotiations, particularly in areas with a high number of listings. This gives buyers some advantage in securing prices closer to the real market value compared to when the

Tropicana marks topping off for SouthPlace 2 Shoppes & Residences SUBANG JAYA: Tropicana

Backed by strong buyer confidence, SouthPlace 2 Shoppes & Residences continues to gain traction with enhanced connectivity and curated lifestyle offerings at Tropicana Metropark.

as enhanced connectivity via a dedicated link bridge to the Federal Highway, the township has been well received by the market. Building on the success of SouthPlace 1, which

Metropark continues to evolve into a vibrant community hub in Subang Jaya. With its well-balanced mix of residential, commercial, educational, and recreational components, as well

Banking & Finance managing director Loke Wei Feng said, “Envisioned as a well-connected and sustainable township, Tropicana Construction (QLASSIC). Tropicana project

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