When relocating to Johor Bahru (JB) under the MM2H program or simply for lifestyle and work reasons, many expats face this key question:
👉 Should I buy a brand-new property from a developer?
👉 Or go for a secondary (resale) property in a mature neighborhood?
Each option comes with its pros and cons — from pricing and financing, to rental yield, maintenance, and lifestyle. This guide helps expats make an informed decision based on their needs, timeline, and investment goals.
New properties are units sold directly by developers and usually come with:
🏢 Brand-new finishes and appliances
🧼 Minimal repair or renovation work
🛠️ 2–3 year defect liability period
📈 Potential for capital appreciation if purchased early (early bird prices)
💡 Best For:
Buyers who want modern amenities, smart layouts
Short-term Airbnb rental units
Foreigners who prefer simplified legal processes
🖼️ Image Suggestion: Modern new condo with facilities like pool, gym
Alt text: “New property in Johor with lifestyle facilities”
Secondary (resale) properties are older homes purchased from individual owners. Benefits include:
📏 Larger built-up sizes, better room proportions
🌳 Located in mature neighborhoods with full amenities
💵 Often lower price per square foot
💬 Easier to gauge rental demand (established area)
But they may come with higher renovation or maintenance costs.
💡 Best For:
Expats who plan to live long-term or retire
Families who want landed space, garden, privacy
Budget-conscious buyers looking for good value
🖼️ Image Suggestion: Renovated landed home in a leafy JB neighborhood
Alt text: “Secondary home with mature trees and garden space”
Foreigners buying either new or secondary property in Malaysia must:
Meet minimum purchase thresholds (e.g. RM1 million in some states, RM400k in Johor)
Pay MOT (Memorandum of Transfer), stamp duties, and legal fees
Use foreigner-eligible titles (e.g., strata titled, no Malay Reserved Land)
⚖️ New Projects usually include legal fees and are more "foreigner-friendly."
⚖️ Secondary Homes might require more checks on title and land status.
🖼️ Image Suggestion: Legal document review and signing for property deal
Alt text: “Foreigner reviewing Malaysia property legal paperwork”
New Projects:
Often allow progressive payments during construction
Some offer 0% down payment, legal fee waivers
Suitable for investors who want staged payments or “under construction” buys
Secondary Homes:
Require full loan disbursement upfront
Bank valuations are key to avoid overpaying
Better suited for expats with lump sum funds or long-term view
💰 For MM2H holders, some banks offer expat-friendly loan packages.
🖼️ Image Suggestion: Table comparing new vs secondary property financing
Alt text: “Financing differences between new and resale homes for foreigners”
| Criteria | New Property | Secondary Property |
|---|---|---|
| Security & Facilities | ✅ Gated & guarded, with condo-style facilities | ⚠️ Varies, may need own upgrades |
| Community | 👶 Younger families, investors, tenants | 👨👩👧👦 Mixed community, often more local |
| Location | 🏗️ Often outskirts or new townships | 📍 Closer to city centre, schools |
| Customization | ❌ Less flexibility (standard layouts) | ✅ Full renovation potential |
| Rental Demand | ✅ Strong for short-term rental | ✅ Strong for long-term rental |
🖼️ Image Suggestion: Lifestyle shot of expat family in JB condo vs landed home
Alt text: “Expat family lifestyle in new vs old property setting”
| If you are... | You may prefer... |
|---|---|
| A young couple moving to JB for work | 🏙️ New condo near RTS or Medini |
| A retiree under MM2H | 🏡 Secondary landed home in mature area |
| A foreign investor focused on rental ROI | 🏢 New dual-key units with facilities |
| A family with kids | 🏘️ Secondary home near international schools |
Ultimately, your budget, timeline, and usage goal will help guide the decision.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. For expats in Malaysia, both new and secondary properties offer solid opportunities. What matters most is:
🎯 Knowing your goal: lifestyle, investment, or both
📍 Choosing the right area (e.g., CIQ, Medini, Mount Austin)
🧾 Doing due diligence on developer or owner’s track record
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