It's now 'adapt, adapt, adapt' for real estate industry
For decades, the mantra of real estate has been "location, location, location". But as artificial intelligence (AI)...
A survey by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) found that 72 per cent of developers faced financing-related issues among buyers, with housing loans cited as the main challenge by 83 per cent of respondents.
The findings were highlighted in Rehda's biannual Property Industry Survey for the Second Half of 2025 and Market Outlook for 2026.
Developers said loan rejections are preventing many property transactions from proceeding, creating knock-on effects for the industry including slower sales, cash flow pressures and delays in project completion.
The survey showed that many buyers fail to meet banks' eligibility criteria, particularly income requirements, making it difficult for them to secure mortgage approvals.
Adverse credit records were another key obstacle, with applicants rejected due to outstanding debts, high credit card utilisation or weak repayment histories.
Rehda president Datuk Ho Son Sang said banks also require extensive financial documentation when assessing mortgage applications, and incomplete submissions can lead to applications being rejected.
At the same time, rising property prices and construction costs are widening the gap between home prices and household income growth.
"Construction and land costs have been increasing, but wage growth has not kept pace, making it harder for many Malaysians to qualify for housing loans," he said.
The survey found that homes priced between RM500,000 and RM700,000 recorded the highest rejection rates, with developers reporting loan rejection levels ranging from 31 per cent to 45 per cent within that price bracket.
This suggests that the affordability challenge is no longer limited to lower-income households but is increasingly affecting middle-income buyers as well.
Rehda immediate past president Datuk NK Tong said the issue reflects a deeper structural imbalance in the housing market.
"At the same time, the question is whether our incomes are keeping up. Probably not.
"That gap is what we are seeing today, and it ultimately affects buyers' ability to secure the end-financing they need," he said.
Meanwhile, Rehda Wilayah Persekutuan chairwoman Carrie Fong said the association continues to work with the government to address housing affordability challenges.
She said property prices in urban centres such as Kuala Lumpur tend to be higher due to rising land costs and strong demand, although developers are increasingly exploring ways to incorporate more affordable housing options within their projects.
Fong added that alternative housing initiatives, such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall's Belia Housing programme offering rental units at RM200 per month for single workers, could provide temporary relief for younger urban residents struggling to enter the property market.
