Study reveals 90% of Malaysians consider sustainable living important

Malaysians also consider the importance of having an extra room as a home office due to Work From Home arrangements 

According to the PropertyGuru Malaysia Consumer Sentiment Study, the pandemic has brought about many hardships but also opportunities in the real estate market, including the notion of living more sustainably.  

Findings reveal that 73 percent of Malaysians are seeking changes to their home situation after spending more time at home due to the pandemic. Sustainable living has become a priority for Malaysians today. 

Up to 90 percent of Malaysians consider it important to live sustainably, with three in 10 preferring a home designed to save electricity.  

In terms of location, 57 percent prioritise living in an area without owning a vehicle, and where public transportation is easily accessible. 

Moreover, as Work From Home (WFH) becomes the new normal among businesses and employees, 84 percent of Malaysians consider it important to have additional spaces for a home office.  

A conducive home office should include these top features: high-speed internet infrastructure, natural lighting, air ventilation, and smart cooling systems.  

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As the pandemic induces people to make home changes, data also reveals that 38 percent want to renovate or repurpose certain areas of their home, while 35 percent are considering owning a home or moving out. 

Sheldon Fernandez, country manager at PropertyGuru Malaysia, said, “Malaysia has undergone various forms of lockdowns in the last 17 months, and this extended time at home has made more people realise the importance and benefits of having a space of their own, especially in the age of remote working.”