How to Buy a House in Malaysia
From working out your budget to collecting the keys, the whole thing runs through seven clear steps. Here is the full map, the realistic timeline, and what changes between a new launch and a subsale.
Most first-time buyers worry they will miss a step or get caught out by a deadline. You will not, if you know the shape of the journey before you start. Here it is, start to finish.
The 7 steps, start to finish
- Know your budget and loan eligibility. Check your commitments against your income (your debt-service ratio) and get an indicative approval from a bank or broker, so you shop in the right price band.
- View and choose. See the unit, the floor, the view, the surroundings — not just the photos. Check tenure, maintenance fee and, if you are a foreigner, whether you are allowed to buy it.
- Pay the booking deposit. Usually a 2–3% earnest deposit with a booking form that reserves the unit.
- Appoint a lawyer and sign the SPA. Within about 14 days you sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement and top the deposit up to 10%.
- Apply for your loan. The bank values the property and issues a Letter of Offer; your lawyer prepares the loan agreement for you to sign.
- Pay stamp duty and transfer. Stamp duty is paid, the lawyer lodges the transfer (MOT), and applies for state consent if it is needed (for example a foreign purchase or a leasehold title).
- Disbursement and keys. The bank releases the loan to the seller, the balance is settled, and you collect the keys.
New launch vs subsale
🏢 New launch
You buy from the developer and pay progressively as construction hits each stage, so the cash is spread out. Keys come at vacant possession, after the CCC — which can be a few years away.
🏠 Subsale
You buy a completed unit in a single transaction. The whole process typically wraps up in about 3–4 months, and you move in soon after.
Before you take the first step
- Sort out your loan eligibility before you fall in love with a unit — not after.
- Budget for the full entry cost (around 14–15% of the price), not just the 10% deposit.
- If you are buying as a foreigner, confirm you clear the state price floor before you pay any booking fee.
Not sure which step you are on? Ask Louis
Tell me where you are — just looking, or already holding a booking form — and I will tell you exactly what comes next and what to watch for. I am Louis Koh, over a decade in Johor Bahru property.
Frequently asked questions
How long does buying a house take?
A subsale purchase typically takes about 3–4 months from SPA to keys. A new launch follows the construction schedule and can take years.
How much deposit do I pay at booking?
Usually a 2–3% earnest deposit, topped up to a 10% down payment when you sign the SPA, commonly within 14 days.
Do I need a lawyer?
Yes — a conveyancing lawyer handles the SPA, the loan agreement and the transfer. The buyer pays the regulated legal fees.
New launch or subsale — which is easier on cash flow?
A new launch spreads payment across construction milestones; a subsale needs the funds over a few months as a single completed deal.
Want to see actual projects?
From Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, I keep a documented list of what is selling now — take a look and see what fits.