Malaysia is No. 2 choice for property investors here: Survey

Malaysia is the most popular investment destination for property investors here after Singapore, a survey held at an STProperty seminar on foreign property showed.

Out of 1,613 respondents, 34 per cent favoured Malaysia, with the economic corridor of Iskandar a firm favourite among buyers. A majority said they were likely to buy a property there in the next six to 12 months, and pointed to Medini Signature and Tropicana Danga Bay as their top choices.

Not surprisingly, the home market was the favourite by a large majority, with 79 per cent preferring to buy an investment property in Singapore.

Australia was the third choice among those surveyed, at 27 per cent.

Outside these popular investment destinations, investors also pointed to Thailand and the United States as countries where they would like to buy properties.

Respondents said they were most comfortable buying foreign property that would cost them less than $1 million. A third of those surveyed also said they were keen on investing in commercial properties overseas, on top of traditional picks such as condominiums or landed homes.

However, more respondents were keen on investing in hotels than in industrial properties.

When it came to what buyers looked out for in a property, location was the top factor, trumping concerns about the country's political stability. Pricing and potential for capital appreciation were also at the top of buyer checklists.

STProperty will be holding a seminar on March 1 and 2 at the Suntec City Convention Centre on the impact of the Government's cooling measures and how the US' reduction of its bond-buying programme would affect opportunities abroad.

As part of an early-bird discount, a one-day pass will be available at $18, while a two-day pass will cost $30. After Feb 14, the price of a one-day pass will be $25, while a two-day pass will be $40.

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