By Joseph Wong
Indian Malaysians are rapidly emerging as a significant force in Malaysia’s property landscape, with a notable rise in both buyer activity and real estate professionals from this community. The growing influence of this demographic signals a powerful market shift that property developers and sellers can no longer afford to ignore.
Recent data from IQI, a global real estate agency network under proptech group Juwai IQI, reveals a surge of 29% in enquiries from Indian Malaysian buyers in the first quarter of 2025. In contrast, overall market enquiries increased only marginally during the same period. The spike reflects a clear upward trajectory in demand, concentrated particularly in key urban markets like Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru.
Malaysia is seeing this trend play out in real time, according to IQI team head AG Sasidar. “A new generation of Indian Malaysians is moving into the high-income brackets, making their mark on industries ranging from real estate to finance,” he said. Indian Malaysians are demonstrating strong interest in home ownership and property investment. Their presence in the real estate market is expanding not just on the buyer side but also among the ranks of agents and negotiators.
Sasidar leads IQI Elite’s Top Notch team, which currently boasts over 800 agents and negotiators, making it the largest Indian Malaysian team within the organisation. In a single Tamil-language business opportunity event hosted by IQI earlier this year, 94 new Indian Malaysian real estate negotiators joined the agency, boosting the team’s size by 12% overnight.
This is a sign of empowerment. Sasidar said: “I’m Indian Malaysian myself and I find it reassuring that as a group we are assertive and confident property seekers and professionals.”
Emergence of distinctive traits
Buyer preferences among Indian Malaysians display several distinctive traits. Most aim to purchase homes priced below RM500,000, with a strong inclination toward landed properties over high-rise condominiums. Urban connectivity is essential, with buyers favouring central and well-developed areas rather than remote or rural locations.
Sasidar explained that Indian Malaysian buyers often commit early to a project and they are more likely to purchase in the pre-construction phase compared to other ethnic groups.
This investment-oriented mindset is underscored by an internal survey Sasidar conducted within his team. Over two-thirds of his 800-plus agents reported that Indian Malaysian buyers are more inclined to acquire properties as investments rather than solely for personal use.
This reflects a growing financial literacy and ambition within the Indian community. Many are thinking beyond the immediate need for shelter. They view real estate as a pathway to wealth accumulation and financial security, said Sasidar.
Not without obstacles
However, the path to homeownership is not without obstacles. Financing remains a significant hurdle for many first-time buyers, particularly those without a stable income stream or formal credit history.
“As someone who grew up poor and without a father, I understand how hard it is to get financing when you have no credit history or don’t have a big paycheck coming in. It’s common for first-time Indian buyers to face challenges getting financing and obtaining rentals. Developers should build more large homes and family-oriented developments. Indian buyers like to buy new homes and may have a larger family. Yet, many new projects are aimed at one- to three person households,” he said.
Indian Malaysians currently make up about 7% of the national population. While a minority in numbers, they represent a sizable and upwardly mobile segment of the population. Increasing educational attainment, professional achievements and disposable incomes are propelling this community into the middle and upper-middle class.
The contribution of Indian Malaysians to Malaysia’s property market is more than just numerical. It brings a unique blend of cultural values, entrepreneurial spirit and long-term planning to the real estate landscape. Community ties remain strong and homeownership is often seen not only as a personal achievement but as a collective milestone for families.
The role of community leaders and role models also cannot be overstated. Sasidar cites the late Ananda Krishnan as a personal source of inspiration. The Malaysian tycoon and philanthropist, who passed away in November 2024, embodied the values of perseverance and giving back.
“He shows that it is possible for any of us to transcend whatever limitations our upbringings might have and to achieve great things in business and philanthropy,” said Sasidar, elaborating that this kind of example motivates a new generation of Indian Malaysians to dream bigger and work harder.
The message is clear
The implications for developers and agents are clear. The Indian Malaysian buyer segment is too important to overlook. Their needs, preferences and purchasing power must be taken seriously in development planning and marketing strategies.
Culturally relevant outreach, including multilingual communication and tailored financing solutions, could further unlock this market’s potential. Developers that design homes suited to larger families and offer flexible payment schemes will likely find a ready and receptive audience among Indian Malaysians.
Moreover, the increasing number of Indian Malaysian real estate negotiators presents a unique opportunity for agencies to connect more authentically with this market segment. Representation matters and having agents who understand the cultural nuances and language preferences of Indian buyers can significantly enhance the customer experience.
For an industry in search of new growth avenues, the message in this trend is unmistakable. To build a more inclusive and prosperous property market, one must look beyond the traditional demographic segments. The rise of Indian Malaysian buyers and professionals offers both an opportunity and a challenge and smart players should embrace it.
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