iProperty.com.my revealed the top 10 most searched areas among Property seekers in Malaysia*. The list recorded the highest number of searches by visitors who browsed properties for sale on iProperty.com.my between January and November 2023. Compared to 2022, when prospective homebuyers were considering select areas outside the Klang Valley due to work flexibility, the 2023 search data indicates a shift in preference back to urban areas. This change could be attributed to the return-to-office policies implemented by an increasing number of employers.
The latest property transaction data from brickz** is also provided to showcase which residential properties consumers purchased in each area. Additionally, the inclusion of the most-searched properties provides insight into potential homebuyers’ preferences when they are seeking specific homes in a particular area.
Sheldon Fernandez, Country Manager, PropertyGuru Malaysia (PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my), said, “Observing the 2023 search data, we have noticed a significant shift in homebuyer preferences. As more employers implement return-to-office work arrangements, there is a clear resurgence in the appeal of urban living. Urban properties offer several advantages for those working in offices such as excellent connectivity and easy access to workplaces facilitated by reliable public transportation, resulting in reduced commute times. Urban areas are often hubs of activity, offering a wide range of amenities such as shopping centres, restaurants, and recreational facilities. This makes them highly attractive for individuals seeking a dynamic lifestyle outside of work hours. This combination of factors makes urban living particularly convenient for office professionals. This trend underscores the resilience and adaptability of the property market.
As the property market continues to evolve, developers are adapting their strategies to meet the shifting preferences of homebuyers. A wave of mixed-use developments that seamlessly blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces seems to be in the pipeline for a few developers. These developments have the potential to transform central business districts from being solely office-focused to becoming vibrant, multifunctional hubs where residents can live, work, and play. By integrating diverse spaces, these districts could grow into self-contained ecosystems that cater to all aspects of life. We look forward to seeing how this trend continues to innovate in the future.”
Below are the most searched areas in 2023 ranked in descending order:
- Cyberjaya
Cyberjaya returns to the most searched area list in 2023 after its last appearance in 2021. Known as the Silicon Valley of Malaysia, Cyberjaya is the base for many multinational technology companies with Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status. In addition to its rapid technological advancement, Cyberjaya is surrounded by public parks and recreational spaces including the Cyberjaya Lake Gardens. It is also an educational hub with various tertiary learning institutions such as Multimedia University, Limkokwing University and University of Cyberjaya. The student-friendly aspect, combined with many expatriates who work in the area, contributes to the thriving rental market and number of searches in the past year.
The top three most transacted properties are Evergreen Garden Residence, Serin Residency and The Mulia Residences Cyberjaya. In terms of property searches***, Aspire Residence and Sanderling Lakefront saw the most significant gains, with increases of 731.6% and 256.70% year-on-year (YoY), respectively.
- Bangsar
Making its debut on the list is Bangsar, a residential suburb on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The upscale neighbourhood is situated in a strategic location near Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas and Damansara Heights. Bangsar is known for its luxurious landed and non-landed developments that provide a diverse set of options for aspiring buyers. There are several on-going developments in the area and developers are actively seeking land banks to meet the high demand and its continued association with affluence.
The top three transacted landed homes in Bangsar are Bangsar Baru, Bukit Bandaraya and Lucky Garden (Jalan Bangsar). Meanwhile, Alfa Bangsar Serviced Apartment (103.90% YoY) and Bangsar Peak Condominium (43.10% YoY) gained the most searches.
- Subang Jaya
In 2023, Subang Jaya made a comeback in eighth place since its last appearance in 2021. The suburban area offers diverse property options such as Teja by Sime Darby Property Bhd, and has multiple educational institutions such as INTI International University and Colleges, Monash University Malaysia and Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus. Nestled within this lively community, Subang Jaya boasts exceptional highway connectivity, positioning it in close proximity to the vibrant districts of Klang Valley, Damansara Utama, Bandar Utama, Kota Damansara, and Mutiara Damansara.
The most transacted properties in Subang Jaya are landed homes in Putra Heights, USJ2, and USJ11, while the most-searched properties are Armani Soho (402.50% YoY) and Summer Villa Condominium (71.30% YoY).
- Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) returns to the list at the same position it finished in 2021. The area is famed as a central district of Kuala Lumpur that is home to both expatriates and locals with iconic landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers. It remains as KLCC’s hub of convenience by being connected to Bukit Bintang, TRX and the Cochrane/Maluri area via the MRT Line 1. The scarcity of land around KLCC’s stations bolsters its value growth, and the resurgence of various business sectors has paved the way for the development of numerous high-end homes within the city.
The main transactions this year include Residensi Laville, Suria Stonor and Platinum Suites (The Face Suites), while the top two most searched properties, Royce Residence (255.30% YoY) and The Manor (218.50% YoY) testifies the area’s alluring attractions.
- Bukit Jalil
A newcomer to the list, Bukit Jalil gained prominence as an affluent suburb housing many sport and tech facilities such as Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex and Technology Park Malaysia. It also hosts other tech companies such as MIMOS, SIRIM, IRIS Corp Bhd, Astro and more. Bukit Jalil also thrives with local developments such as Bukit Jalil City and Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
Compared to other top 3 transacted properties in Bukit Jalil, such as the The Z Residence and Residensi Park, Arena Green’s decent median price of RM308,000 promotes affordable properties that are surrounded with ample facilities and amenities within the suburb itself. The two most searched properties are Aurora Suites @ Bukit Jalil (148.30% YoY) and Casa Green (16.00% YoY).
- Puchong
Retaining its 5th-place position from 2022, Puchong stands out as a mature and well-established area offering many shopping and leisure centers like Tesco Extra Puchong, IOI Mall Puchong, and SetiaWalk Mall. In terms of accessibility, Puchong is served by the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Shah Alam Expressway and the Putrajaya Link. The Sri Petaling LRT Line has also been extended into Puchong, improving its connectivity.
Looking at Puchong’s property transactions in the past year, most homebuyers were purchasing terrace houses — Bandar Puchong Jaya, Taman Putra Prima and Taman Puchong Utama. The top two most searched properties are high-rise homes — Twin Residences (230% YoY) and Seri Puteri Hills (98.50% YoY).
- Cheras
Nestled in a mature area featuring old restaurants and new shopping hubs, Cheras has a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern attractions. Cheras benefits from its proximity to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and is served by the Sri Petaling LRT line and the Cheras-Kajang Highway. The completion of the Sungai Buloh Kajang MRT line and new highways such as the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) have boosted demand for properties in Cheras. The Sungai Buloh Kajang MRT line has 11 stations passing through Cheras, boosting its connectivity further.
The projects in Cheras KL mainly comprise high-rise condominiums and apartments, with the top three most transacted properties this year; Residensi M Vertica, Sri Penara, and Angkasa Condominiums. The two most-searched properties are Aster Residence (363.50% YoY) and Trion @ KL (271.40% YoY).
- Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru secured the third spot, one position higher than in 2022. The number of property transactions in Johor Bahru is on the rise, as property seekers hunt for deals ahead of the opening of the Johor Bahru-Singapore rapid transit system (RTS), which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Additionally, the move to ease the conditions of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, coupled with the rise in rental costs in Singapore, could further boost the sale of properties in Johor.
The top three transacted properties in Johor Bahru are Taman Johor Jaya, Country Garden Danga Bay and Taman Pelangi. One of the most searched properties this year is Trellis Residences (521.60%), which is strategically situated at the intersection of major roads and near CIQ Complex, JB Sentral and the Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station, offering a direct link to Singapore. Meanwhile, Twin Tower Residence recorded 237.30% YoY increase in searches.
- Mont Kiara
Mont Kiara finishes as the runner-up in 2023, jumping from eight in 2022. Renowned among expatriates and affluent locals, Mont Kiara flaunts its established amenities and prestigious international schools like Mont’Kiara International School, Garden International School and the French School of Kuala Lumpur. Its central position among Damansara Heights, Bangsar and Kuala Lumpur City Centre, coupled with easy access via key expressways allow for quick entry to the main city.
For Mont Kiara, the most transacted properties are Seni Mont Kiara, Residensi 22 Mont Kiara and Pavilion Hilltop. The top two most-searched properties are serviced residences, Trinity Pentamont (417.80% YoY) and Residensi Sefina Mont Kiara (89.10% YoY).
- Petaling Jaya
Taking the crown this year is Petaling Jaya, making it the first area to secure the top spot twice in this annual list. The city was the winner previously in 2021. Petaling Jaya’s network of highways and public transport, along with a diverse range of amenities, makes it an ideal living destination for city folks. It is situated at the crossroads of Kuala Lumpur, Sungai Buloh, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Puchong. Hosting popular shopping malls like 1 Utama Shopping Centre, IKEA Damansara, The Curve and IPC Shopping Centre.
The top three transacted properties in 2023 are a variety of bungalows, semi-Ds and terrace houses in SS2, SS3 and SS22 & SS22A Damansara Jaya. Meanwhile, the two of the most searched properties in Petaling Jaya are Atwater Serviced Apartment (386.60% YoY) and Panorama Residence Condominium (148.00% YoY).
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* The search data is sourced from iProperty.com.my between January – November 2023, and it does not represent the whole residential property market in Malaysia. The term search is defined as when a property consumer searches for a property in a certain location and lands on a search result page on iProperty.com.my.
** brickz provides a comprehensive view of subsale property price information and the latest trusted, reliable, and up-to-date transactions. The platform is not a valuer and cannot give direct property valuation. Its content is provided “as is” for general information purposes only. It would help if you did not rely on any of this content without first seeking financial advice from a professionally qualified expert.
*** The most-searched property percentage is derived from a comparison of data from January to November 2023 versus the same period in 2022 on iProperty.com.my.
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