iProperty.com.my revealed the top 10 most searched areas among property seekers in Malaysia*. The areas recorded the highest number of searches by visitors who browsed properties for sale on iProperty.com.my between January and November 2022. The search data reflects a change in residential property search patterns, where in 2022, more potential homebuyers and investors are now considering select areas outside the Klang Valley. These locations tend to offer affordable landed homes within a family-friendly environment. The latest property transaction data from brickz** is also provided to showcase what residential properties consumers bought in each area.
Sheldon Fernandez, Country Manager, PropertyGuru Malaysia (PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my), said, “The various lockdowns and economic challenges brought about by COVID-19 impacted house-buying activity in the past two years as consumers adopted a more cautious sentiment. Now that the country is riding out the after-effects of the pandemic and the political landscape has stabilised, it would be interesting to look at the residential areas that homebuyers and investors might consider transacting in moving forwards.”
“In 2022, more people were considering residential properties in areas located outside the Klang Valley. This year we have three never-seen-before locations that made it onto iProperty.com.my’s annual list. This observation shows that the pandemic has prompted many consumers to rethink where and how they live and work. The remote work trend has enabled consumers to prioritise better living environments to raise children, proximity to family members, and better mental health. Looking ahead to 2023, it would be interesting to see if residential properties beyond the prime cities and usual crowd-favourites will continue to gain traction among homebuyers.”
Below are the most searched areas in 2022 ranked in descending order and the number of searches in percentages (%).
10. Seremban
Percentage of searches: 6.4%
Seremban made the list for the first time as the city offers relatively similar conveniences and amenities as Kuala Lumpur. One reason Seremban is a popular choice is the availability of more affordable and spacious living spaces, especially when remote working is now the norm. Commuting into the city is also made possible via the Seremban KTM line, which is integrated with the new MRT Line 1 and LRT line extensions in Klang Valley. When we take a look at transaction data between October 2021 and September 2022, property buyers in Seremban mainly bought landed properties — terrace and semi-detached homes. The top two developments with the highest transactions were Taman Seremban Forest Heights and Taman Bukit Galena.
9. Shah Alam
Percentage of searches: 6.9%
Shah Alam has appeared on the list of most searched-for areas every year, since 2018. It is a popular choice among home buyers because of its well-planned roads, serene surroundings, and convenient accessibility. Shah Alam is also close to Subang Jaya, Klang, and Sunway, providing residents access to major amenities and conveniences of city living while residing in a peaceful neighbourhood. Between October 2021 and September 2022, Shah Alam recorded 1,392 property transactions. The four highest transactions came from projects in gated townships, namely Kota Kemuning, Alam Impian, Elmina West, and Bukit Jelutong.
8. Mont Kiara
Percentage of searches: 7.0%
Mont Kiara returns to the most searched area list in 2022 after its last appearance in 2018. Popular among expats for the quality of lifestyle it offers, Mont Kiara is known for its great infrastructure and excellent choice of international schools. Its appearance in the list, post-pandemic further shows that some property buyers are more intent on purchasing properties that fits thei desire for a vibrant urban living. Homebuyers were mostly purchasing high-rise properties, where the top three projects were Seni Mont Kiara, Vista Kiara, and Residensi 22 Mont Kiara.
7. Port Dickson
Percentage of searches: 7.4%
Another new entry to the list is Port Dickson. The coastal town is an excellent option for those who prefer living near the beach and in a more relaxed environment. It is also well connected to Kuala Lumpur through the North-South Expressway and connects to Seremban through the Seremban – Port Dickson Highway (SPDH). Compared to Kuala Lumpur, the median price of a terrace house in Port Dickson is RM200,000. In the past year, most homebuyers were purchasing terrace houses in the affordable price range — Taman Intan Duyung, Taman Bayu Indera, Lukut, and Taman PD Utama. This could explain the sudden surge of interest in homes in Port Dickson in this era of remote working.
6. Kuching
Percentage of searches: 7.6%
Kuching is a surprise newcomer to this year’s list. Touted as a holiday destination, the capital city of Sarawak has always been known for its beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and unique indigenous culture. Kuching is growing to be a potential residential hub for property seekers looking for a better quality of life and affordable homes post-pandemic. Looking at Kuching’s property transactions in the past year, most homebuyers were purchasing high-rise properties on the lower end of the price range (MJC Courtyard Sanctuary and P’ Residence), and midrange-priced landed properties (Tabuan Jaya and RPR Bandar Baru Sarawak).
5. Puchong
Percentage of searches: 9.6%
Puchong is a familiar residential hotspot, having appeared on the list annually except for 2020. Puchong is a mature and established area with a wide selection of affordable homes. It also has excellent accessibility via the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), allowing residents seamless access to Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya. Several malls within the town provide a convenient lifestyle, such as the IOI Mall, SetiaWalk Mall, and M Square Mall Puchong. Two high-rise properties provided the largest transactions in Puchong — Sutera Maya condominium and Residensi Nest serviced residence. Both high-rise properties carry a median price of around RM580,000.
4. Johor Bahru
Percentage of searches: 10.3%
Johor Bahru is another regular entry, appearing on the list every year since 2018. Due to its proximity to Singapore, Johor Bahru continues to be a popular residential choice among consumers looking for housing, especially near the Johor-Singapore border. Residential neighbourhoods near the Sultan Iskandar Building, a customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex, made up most of the transactions over the past year. Landed properties, including bungalows, semi-detached, and terrace houses, were the highest transacted property type in the city — where the top 3 projects were Taman Johor Jaya, Taman Desa Jaya and Taman Molek.
3. Cheras
Percentage of searches: 11.6%
Retaining its third-place spot from 2021, Cheras is a popular residential area similar to Puchong because of its central location and affordable homes for own-stay and rent. Moreover, depending on where the property is located in Cheras, residents could only be 15 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur city centre. On top of that, MRT line 1 serves the city well, with 11 MRT stops within Cheras itself. Looking at the top transacted properties in Cheras in the past year, most homebuyers were purchasing landed properties in Taman Midah and Taman Taynton View due to their proximity to the Taman Midah MRT station.
2. Petaling Jaya
Percentage of searches: 13.7%
Dropping to the number two spot this year is 2021’s winner, Petaling Jaya (PJ). Officially granted city status in 2006, PJ is famous for its accessibility in the central region of the Klang Valley. Property buyers seeking a quiet home near the KL city’s conveniences prefer PJ. Due to PJ’s strategic location, property prices are primarily on the higher end of the price spectrum. The median price of the transacted landed homes in the past year hovers around RM1,000,000. These landed homes are located in SS2, close to the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP). It is also within walking distance of various F&B outlets, bus routes, morning markets, night markets, and sundry stores.
1. Ipoh
Percentage of searches: 19.5%
Taking the crown this year, is a surprise winner – Ipoh. It is the second city outside the Klang Valley to claim the top spot after Johor Bahru in 2020. Similar to Port Dickson and Kuching, Ipoh has always been more of a holiday destination than a homebuying haven. The capital city of Perak is known as a local food hub, and its preservation of heritage streets, buildings, and historical landmarks. Plus, the city is well connected to the North-South Expressway. Ipoh recorded 1,916 transactions across all residential property types in the past year. Homebuyers were mostly purchasing landed houses with a median price of RM280,000. The top three property types were terrace and semi-detached houses in Taman Cempaka, Taman Ipoh, and Taman Canning.
