Buyer's Guide

Buyer To-Do List

Everything you need to do to buy a property in Malaysia, in order — with realistic timelines for each stage. Switch between the local and foreign-buyer journeys.

For Malaysian citizens and PRs. You can tap EPF Account 2 and pay the standard tiered MOT stamp duty.

The journey, end to end

Get your budget & eligibility rightBefore you search · 1–2 weeks
Search & shortlist2–6 weeks
Make an offer & sign the Letter of OfferDay 0
Due diligence before signing the SPA~2 weeks
Sign the SPA & top up to 10%Within 14–21 working days
Pay your stamp dutyWithin 30 days of adjudication
Completion — keys in hand3+1 months from SPA

Subsale: ~3+1 months from SPA to keys (6–9 months for foreign buyers)New launch (off-plan): 2–5 years, paid progressively

Plan your timeline

Enter your booking / Letter of Offer date and we’ll map the key dates ahead.

Booking / Letter of Offer dateSPA signing window (days)Completion (months after SPA)

Pick your booking / Letter of Offer date above to generate the timeline.

Remarks

Approximate dates only — your SPA signing window and completion period vary by contract. Confirm with your lawyer and agent.

Your progress

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1. Get your budget & eligibility right
Before you search · 1–2 weeks
- Set a firm budget that includes the purchase price, stamp duty, downpayment, and legal fees — not just the headline price.
- Get In-Principle Approval (IPA) from 2–3 banks so you know your real loan ceiling before viewing seriously. It's free and takes 1–2 weeks.
- Estimate your MOT stamp duty, downpayment, and total upfront cash.Open
2. Search & shortlist
2–6 weeks
- View shortlisted units in person — photos hide condition, noise, neighbours, and the real view.
- Benchmark each asking price against actual recent transactions.Open
- Check the tenure (freehold vs leasehold years left), completion year/age, and walking distance to the nearest train station — not driving distance.
3. Make an offer & sign the Letter of Offer
Day 0
- Agree on a price with the seller's agent.
- Sign the Letter of Offer / booking form and pay the earnest deposit — typically 2–3% of the price.
- You now have a window — commonly 14–21 working days — to sign the SPA. Your earnest deposit is credited toward the 10% deposit; walking away forfeits it.
4. Due diligence before signing the SPA
~2 weeks
- Engage a conveyancing lawyer (SRO scale fees — budget roughly 1% of price plus disbursements for a typical condo).
- Submit your documents for final loan approval — your earlier IPA was non-binding.
- Have your lawyer check the title for caveats, encumbrances, or unauthorised works.
5. Sign the SPA & top up to 10%
Within 14–21 working days
- Sign the Sale & Purchase Agreement and top your deposit up to 10% of the price (the earnest deposit counts toward it). You're now legally bound to complete.
6. Pay your stamp duty
Within 30 days of adjudication
- Pay the MOT stamp duty through your lawyer's e-stamping (STAMPS) — within 30 days of adjudication. Late payment attracts penalties.Open
7. Completion — keys in hand
3+1 months from SPA
- On completion day, your lawyer pays the balance (your cash plus the bank's loan) to the seller's lawyer.
- Collect the keys and title deed; utilities and maintenance/service charges are pro-rated to the day.

Tools to run your numbers

AI Property Advisor Mortgage Calculator Stamp Duty Calculator DSR Calculator Rental Yield Calculator Property Price Check

Good to know

This checklist is general guidance for a typical subsale purchase, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Timelines vary, and new-launch and auction purchases follow different steps. Confirm your specifics with a REN-registered agent and a conveyancing lawyer.

Buyer To-Do List

The journey, end to end

Plan your timeline

1. Get your budget & eligibility right

2. Search & shortlist

3. Make an offer & sign the Letter of Offer

4. Due diligence before signing the SPA

5. Sign the SPA & top up to 10%

6. Pay your stamp duty

7. Completion — keys in hand

Tools to run your numbers

Buyer To-Do List

The journey, end to end

Plan your timeline

1. Get your budget & eligibility right

2. Search & shortlist

3. Make an offer & sign the Letter of Offer

4. Due diligence before signing the SPA

5. Sign the SPA & top up to 10%

6. Pay your stamp duty

7. Completion — keys in hand

Tools to run your numbers