YouthFest 2025: Property investment tips from young investors

• The “Young Property Investors—Risks and Rewards” panel discussion unpacked how today’s young buyers view housing options and what drives their investment decisions.

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): A growing number of young Malaysians are proving that property investment is not just a purview of the Gen Y and above.

At YouthFest 2025, aspiring and even experienced Gen Z investors shared how financial planning, research and the right tools are helping them take their first steps onto the property ladder much earlier than expected.

The recent weekend event organised by EdgeProp Malaysia at APW Bangsar here provided a platform for discussions on navigating adulthood amid rising living costs, while taking advantage of new opportunities present in the market.

A conversation led by Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) honorary treasurer Ar. David Teoh from the graduate committee of PAM NXT on “Young Property Investors—Risks and Rewards” unpacked how today’s young buyers view housing options and what drives their investment decisions.

Sharing his personal journey, EdgeProp Malaysia senior product manager Kee Hock Im, 31, said that he started entering the property market at 24, a decision shaped by his parents, who work in the industry.

“During the pandemic, I noticed property prices softening, which created a more accessible entry point.

“For me, a good investment means targeting a rental yield of at least 6% for long-term returns. With subletting (renting out individual rooms in a unit) or short-term-stay renting, the yield might go even higher,” he said.

Understand your purpose — own-stay or investment

Another panellist, Suthan Chelliah, 26, was drawn to the property industry while working in a bank, which allowed him to meet successful clients who were agents.

Now, having been an agent with IQI Global for a few years, he shared that it is important for homebuyers to understand what they are looking for.

“Most homebuyers are confused about whether they're going to buy a property for their own stay or as an investment property. Some buyers who are working far from their hometowns would like to buy own-stay properties in their hometowns, but they don’t know whether they will go back to stay permanently. [In such cases], they should consider buying properties to invest in rather than own-stay,” he advised.

At the very young age of 19, just after graduating from STPM (Malaysian Higher School Certificate), IQI Global agent Noah Pua successfully earned his first RM100,000 six months ago.

Focusing on individual buyers and property investors, he stated that the location and price of a development are crucial considerations, along with understanding the project's nature and your investment exit plan.

“The project you’re going to buy—is it a mixed-use development, a township, or simply an individual development?” Pua asked, stating that these factors could affect the potential reselling price.

As an example, Pua said he would likely avoid an individual property that costs RM500,000 [and above], which comes with only one selling point, such as proximity to a light rail transit (LRT) station.

“This market is becoming saturated, making it very difficult to achieve good value appreciation for the future,” he opined.

It's also important to keep the construction timeline in mind and determine the intended duration of ownership before selling in the future, Pua stressed.

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