Buyer guide · Sarawak
Buying a subsale property in Sarawak
A subsale (resale) home is bought from its current owner: you see the actual unit, the view and the neighbours, and you can move in or rent it out within months. This guide sets out the steps, the real costs and the checks, with recorded and asking prices for the 19 Sarawak projects on this site.
The process
Steps to buy a subsale property
- Set your budget. Get a bank pre-assessment. Banks usually lend up to 90% for your first two properties and up to 70% from the third.
- Compare prices. Set asking prices against recorded transactions in the same building (NAPIC open data, EdgeProp, or ask Jason).
- View and check. Defects, water pressure, parking and the management office’s statement of arrears.
- Offer and earnest deposit. An offer to purchase with an earnest deposit, usually 2% to 3%, subject to contract.
- SPA and the 10% deposit. Your lawyer searches the title and the seller, then you sign the SPA and pay the balance of the 10%.
- Loan and consents. The bank values the unit. State consent is needed for foreign buyers and for some leasehold or restricted titles in Sarawak.
- Completion and keys. Usually 3 months from the SPA or consent, with a 1-month extension at interest; then the title is transferred and the keys handed over.
Sarawak rules
What applies to foreign buyers and sellers in Sarawak
State rules as summarised on the Sarawak property page; confirm the current position with your lawyer before you sign.
Sarawak Land Code (Cap. 81), not the National Land Code
Sarawak has its own land law. Section 13A bars foreigners from holding land unless an exception applies. Source: Mondaq / Low & Partners; S.K. Ling & Tan Advocates.
Strata units: allowed, no Sarawak minimum price
Section 13E(2)(b) lets foreigners buy individual parcels in a building subdivided under the Strata Titles Ordinance 1995. Law firms citing the 2019 Direction say commercial and residential strata units carry no minimum market value. Some secondary guides quote RM600,000 for strata too, so confirm with your lawyer. Source: Lo & Partners; S.K. Ling & Tan; IQI Global.
Landed homes: RM600,000 in Kuching Division, RM500,000 elsewhere
Set by the Land (Market Value of Property for Foreign Acquisition) (Amendment) Direction 2019. The same figures apply to house purchases under the S-MM2H programme. Source: Mondaq; S-MM2H programme page.
State approval before you buy
Approval comes through the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak, under ministerial direction; lawyers advise getting it before signing. No published state levy was found. Source: IQI Global; S.K. Ling & Tan.
Native land is off limits
Section 8(a) bars non-natives, including Malaysians from outside Sarawak, from Native Area Land, Native Customary Land and Interior Area Land. Source: Mondaq / Low & Partners.
Excluded property types
Low-cost and low-cost-plus homes, Bumiputera-reserved units, vacant land and landed commercial property cannot be bought by foreigners. Source: S.K. Ling & Tan; IQI Global.
Price evidence
Recorded and asking prices in Sarawak
One line per project on this site, as shown on each project page. Transacted figures are deals recorded with the valuation department; asking figures are listings.
| Project | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Riverine Diamond | RM350,000 – RM620,000 · about RM650–730 psf by layout recorded sales | irumah.co transaction records, viewed Oct 2026 |
| Rivervale Condominium | RM574 psf · typical RM528–633 psf median, last 48 months | EdgeProp, viewed Oct 2026 |
| Sapphire On The Park | RM572 psf · typical RM440–645 psf median, last 48 months | EdgeProp, viewed Oct 2026 |
| TriBeCa Condominium & Suites | RM526 psf (Nov 2021, 1,432 sq ft) last recorded high | EdgeProp, viewed Oct 2026 |
Transacted figures from EdgeProp, Brickz or NAPIC as cited on each project page.
| Project | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgelux Homes | RM408,500 new single-storey terrace, 942 sq ft, one listing | EdgeProp listing, Feb 2026 |
| Crown Residence | RM565,000 · about RM476 psf 3 bed, 1,185 sq ft (1 listing) | EdgeProp listing, Sep 2026 |
| D'Ryx Residences | RM950,000 – RM1,900,000 · about RM522–694 psf for sale, 3+1 bed to penthouse | iProperty listings, Oct 2026 |
| Jazz Suites @ Vivacity | RM530,000 – RM750,000 · about RM632–802 psf for sale | PropertyGuru listings, Oct 2026 |
| P'Residence | from RM488,000 · about RM336–668 psf for sale, 10 listings | PropertyGuru listings, Oct 2026 |
| Riverine Diamond | From about RM520,000 for sale | iProperty and PropertyGuru listings, Oct 2026 |
| Rivervale Condominium | From RM894,888 · RM519–779 psf for sale | PropertyGuru listings, Oct 2026 |
| Sapphire On The Park | About RM490,000 – RM2.39m subsale | PropertyGuru listings, Oct 2026 |
| The Podium | RM550,000 – RM720,000 · about RM531–695 psf 3 bedrooms, 933–1,094 sq ft (15 listings) | iProperty listings, Aug–Sep 2026 |
| TriBeCa Condominium & Suites | About RM750,000 – RM830,000 3 bedrooms | EdgeProp and PropertyGuru listings, Oct 2026 |
Asking prices from property portals in the month shown.
What it costs
Cash needed on a RM500,000 subsale home
| Item | Amount | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | RM50,000 | 10% of the price |
| Stamp duty on the transfer | RM9,000 | 1% of the first RM100,000, 2% of the next RM400,000, then 3% to RM1 million and 4% above |
| Stamp duty on a 90% loan | RM2,250 | 0.5% of the loan |
| Lawyer’s fees (SPA and loan) | about RM11,900 plus SST | Solicitors’ Remuneration Order 2023 scale |
| Valuation and disbursements | about RM1,500–3,000 | Bank valuation, searches, registration |
Illustration for a Malaysian buyer. Malaysian first-time buyers at RM500,000 or below pay no stamp duty on the transfer or loan for SPAs signed from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027. Foreign buyers pay 8% stamp duty on the transfer of a home from 1 January 2026. Use the buying costs calculatorCalculate my exact costs → for your numbers.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy a subsale property in Sarawak?
Yes, if the unit meets the Sarawak minimum for foreign buyers (Sarawak Land Code (Cap. 81), not the National Land Code) and is not a restricted unit, with state consent. Stamp duty for foreigners buying a home is 8% from 2026.
How long does a subsale purchase take?
Commonly three to four months from the SPA to the keys; longer when state consent is needed.
How much cash do I need for a RM500,000 subsale home?
About RM75,000 to RM78,000 including the 10% deposit, stamp duty and legal fees, before renovation. A Malaysian first-time buyer may save the stamp duty.
Where do I see what units really sold for?
Recorded transactions are published through NAPIC open data and summarised on EdgeProp and Brickz. The table above links each project on this site; Jason can pull the latest deals for a specific unit type.
General information by a registered agent, not legal or tax advice. Rates as published for 2026; your lawyer and LHDN have the final figure. Checked October 2026.
Looking for a subsale home in Sarawak?
Send your budget, area and property type. I will reply with units that fit, recorded prices and a full cost estimate.