Latest news with #IQI
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
OPR rate cut to boost Malaysia property demand, say analysts
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent reduction in Malaysia's Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) is expected to stimulate moderate property demand in the second half of 2025, particularly in the mid-range segment, while the high-end market remains strong, analysts say. Bank Negara Malaysia's decision to lower the OPR to 2.75 per cent on July 10 has already led to increased property viewings and home loan inquiries. 'This reduction improves affordability. A borrower financing a RM500,000 home could save around RM66 per month, adding up to RM23,000 over a 30-year loan,' said Kashif Ansari, co-founder and CEO of IQI. Despite a general slowdown in the property market, luxury homes priced above RM1 million saw a 5.6 per cent year-on-year increase in transactions, according to the National Property Information Centre (Napic). Demand remains firm in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, driven by affluent buyers seeking prime locations. Residential prices in major urban centres have remained stable, with serviced apartments and condominiums in the Klang Valley recording price increases of 1.8 to 2.3 per cent. 'These figures reflect sustained demand and market stabilisation following the post-pandemic recovery,' said Jamie Tan, managing director of JLL Malaysia. However, the sub-RM500,000 segment faces affordability challenges, with transaction volumes declining due to rising living costs and stagnant wages. Developers and policymakers are urged to focus on boosting supply in the RM200,000 to RM500,000 range, where demand is high but availability is limited. Infrastructure continues to drive property values, with homes near MRT and LRT stations commanding premium prices. Properties within 400 metres of MRT stations on the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line sold at a 9.5 per cent premium post-completion, according to a study by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Johor's property market is also thriving, supported by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. Serviced apartment prices in strategic areas like Bukit Chagar have surged by up to 20.4 per cent. Analysts stress the need for holistic urban planning and consistent policies to sustain market growth. 'Developers must align projects with real community needs, not just profit margins,' said Tan. - Bernama
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
KL still nation's priciest rental market
While Malaysian renters and investors saw a welcome period of stability in the first quarter of 2025 as residential condominium rents held steady across most budget tiers, Kuala Lumpur continued to command the highest average rents in the country. According to Juwai IQI co-founder and group chief executive officer Kashif Ansari, the average monthly rents in Malaysia showed little fluctuation year-on-year, signalling a balanced market. This finding is based on an analysis of over 4,500 IQI rental transactions across the country per quarter. 'Across Malaysia, average monthly rents in all four price brackets (affordable, mid-market, premium and luxury) moved in either direction by no more than 1.5% compared to a year earlier. 'That signals a balanced market without sharp swings. It is a relief to both investors and renters,' Ansari said. Despite relative rent stability, Kuala Lumpur (KL) remains Malaysia's most expensive rental market across all price categories. While its premium over national averages is modest in most tiers, it stands out more significantly in the affordable segment. Average monthly rents nationwide by price bracket are: > Luxury (RM7,501 and above): RM10,172. > Premium (RM5,001–RM7,500): RM6,338. > Mid-market (RM2,501–RM5,000): RM3,409. > Affordable (below RM2,500): RM1,674. KL's average rent in the affordable segment was RM1,808, 8% higher than the national average. This suggests even budget-conscious renters in the capital city face steeper costs than their peers elsewhere. A market defined by stability Across the board, rental prices have proven resilient, reflecting both supply-demand equilibrium and confidence among landlords and tenants. Premium homes, those renting for RM5,001 to RM7,500, posted minor increases to a new national average of RM6,344. In KL, premium rents inched up 0.5% , while Selangor saw a slightly higher increase of 1.1%. According to Ansari, the figures reflect enduring demand from professionals and affluent renters who continue to prioritise lifestyle conveniences, space and location. At the entry level, affordable rentals below RM2,500 remained largely unchanged nationwide. Notably, Selangor bucked the trend with a 3.2% increase in this segment, underscoring growing rental demand from cost-conscious households and new job seekers entering urban areas. Meanwhile, the mid-market bracket, covering rents from RM2,501 to RM5,000, saw a slight dip of 1.4% nationally. This minor correction opens a window for upgraders seeking larger or better-located homes without hurting overall yields for landlords. 'While Malaysia has an extensive rental market at the higher price range, it is the entry-level affordable tier of properties that accounts for the greatest number of leases. That is as it should be and suggests the rental market is responding to demand. 'Sub-RM2,500 leases accounted for nearly nine out of 10 transactions in our data set. That underscores Malaysia's attractiveness to young households and working families,' said Ansari. Future outlook Looking ahead, the rental market is forecasted to continue its gentle gains trajectory over the next 12 months, supported by monetary policy stability and consistent demand in key regions. Given that Bank Negara has lowered its overnight policy rate to 2.75%, financing costs will be slightly lower, too, which is expected to boost home buyers and investor confidence. This could lead to a more competitive rental market with an increased supply of properties, but also potentially drive up rental prices due to heightened demand. Nevertheless, KL is expected to lead rental growth in the coming quarters, buoyed by urbanisation, economic activity and limited supply in certain submarkets. Selangor, in contrast, is expected to hold flat, stabilised by its deeper rental base and steady commuter demand. In Johor, growing integration with Singapore, especially through the under-construction RTS Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone initiatives, is expected to attract new residents and yield-seeking investors. These cross-border developments could help push rental yields upward, particularly in Johor Baru's newer high-rise developments. Nationally, rental growth is projected to remain within a 1% to 3% range over the next three quarters. What to expect By rental price tier, different segments are likely to perform at varying speeds: > Affordable: Expected to remain broadly stable as incoming supply matches demand. This tier continues to dominate the market in volume. > Mid-market: Poised for a moderate increase, supported by wage growth and population migration into urban hubs like the Klang Valley and Johor Baru. > Premium: Forecasted to grow by 2% to 4% due to a return of expatriates and restricted new supply. > Luxury: Anticipated to stay steady, buoyed by limited stock and affluent tenant profiles. KL's resilient core KL's continued reign as the most expensive rental market is underpinned by strong fundamentals: high employment concentration, international connectivity, lifestyle offerings, and a maturing high-rise residential market. The capital's pricing reflects not just real estate values but its status as the epicentre of commerce, culture and convenience in Malaysia. Importantly, the city's rental advantage appears sustainable. Even where KL's rent premiums seem narrow, only 1% above national averages in most tiers, the sheer density of activity, demand for proximity and scarcity of central locations keep prices elevated. This dynamic also highlights the capital's nuanced rental landscape. While luxury units in KL do not drastically outprice those in other major global cities, affordability becomes relatively harder to access, with budget-tier tenants facing notably higher base costs. KL's position at the top of the rent ladder serves as a reminder of the city's central role in the nation's residential economy and a barometer for how urban demand, migration and affordability trends will shape Malaysia's property sector in the quarters ahead.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Asean Summit could unlock hundreds of billions in FDI, trade for Malaysia: Juwai IQI
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Summit will be a platform to integrate regional economies and promote trade through potential agreements with an estimated RM300 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the next five years, according to Juwai IQI. Its co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari said in a statement today that it is important for Asean member countries to work together as the region faces a complicated world, with global strategic rivalries, new technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) disruptions. 'The summit could boost Malaysia's economy through regional integration, Asean unity in global trade, and foreign direct investment. Changes in these three areas could mean hundreds of billions of ringgit in additional trade and capital over the coming years. 'The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is a prime example of integration, which could contribute as much as RM110.9 billion to Malaysia's economy annually by 2030,' he said. Kashif said a tighter-knit Asean could boost Malaysia's total trade volume significantly, to about RM3.87 trillion by 2027; exports could reach an all-time high of RM2.13 trillion in annual export volume by 2030. 'While the agreements coming out of the summit could have us shipping more goods out by 2030, we will also be receiving more inbound FDI, with that money going into local innovation, infrastructure, employment, and property,' he noted. In the property sector, based on IQI's analysis, FDI inflows during this period will generate at least RM15 billion in new real estate activities, which include industrial parks, commercial centres, logistics hubs, and housing developments, said Kashif 'With RM300 billion of FDI projected by 2030, we estimate RM15 billion, or 5%, will be channelled into the real estate industry. 'We have estimated this 5% ratio between FDI and real estate based on typical patterns seen across the region. The real number could be lower, or much higher,' he said. According to Kashif, global brands have built data centres, electric vehicle facilities, and logistics hubs over the past few years. These developments create high-quality property demand in the industrial sector and have a spillover effect on housing, office, and retail. 'This Asean Summit is a platform for improving Malaysia's future. If regional leaders can agree to deepen intra-Asean trade, harmonise regulations, and reduce trade barriers, Malaysia and all our partner nations will benefit,' he added. The Asean Summit will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26 and 27, alongside the second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit and the inaugural Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council -China Summit. – Bernama
Gulf Today
25-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
IQI expands its footprints in UAE market
Global real estate network IQI, one of the leading real estate firms of Southeast Asia with offices in 32 countries globally including ASEAN, China, Pakistan and India, with $4 billion sales in 2024 and a strong team of more than 50,000 real estate professionals is expanding its Dubai office, which has been in operation since 2014. The new, larger office opened on Tuesday and will continue to serve international investors looking to invest in the UAE as in the past. Many investors are increasing the percentage composition of Dubai assets in their real estate portfolio. Additionally, the UAE based expatriates are seeking expert guidance in acquiring overseas properties. To achieve these objectives, Farman Lone has been appointed as the Country Head to take care of the new IQI Dubai office. Lone has vast experience in working with HNWI's and extensive experience in the regional real estate market. "The UAE is a leading destination for inbound investment and a growing source of outbound property investments," said Kashif Ansari, Co-Founder and Group CEO IQI. "The UAE is a long-term strategic growth market for us. In a world of heightened geopolitical risk, high-net-worth individuals are increasingly seeking secure, stable jurisdictions, and the UAE stands out. It offers a business-friendly environment, a global trading time zone, world-class infrastructure, and a luxury lifestyle. Top destinations for outbound buyers include many markets where IQI has extensive operations through its own offices and has the experience and expertise to advise investors for good opportunities in North America, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. IQI Global specialists cover residential, commercial, and industrial real estate for international buyers looking for professional and trusted guidance. IQI Co-Founder and Group Managing Director Daniel Ho explained how IQI connects cross-border investors with property. "Local buyers can find overseas property through our international network," Mr. Ho said. "Our Atlas super app enables agents from different markets to collaborate on transactions. Our JUWAI marketing portals drive lead generation. And our IQI Academy provides top-tier training for our real estate experts. Haroon Anwar, who heads Juwai IQI's Global Wealth Office and also oversees Dubai business operations, emphasized the importance of trusted guidance for wealthy clients. "Real estate is a cornerstone of wealth management for many HNWIs from Asia, and Dubai remains a prime market. The high density of HNWIs is why we've made the UAE a key hub for real estate investment advisory focusing on our clients' global wealth management objectives. The Juwai IQI Wealth Office plays a key role in guiding HNWI investors from all over the world to manage their global assets through specialists, that is, private banks, investment advisory firms, lawyers, etc.
