{
  "id": 9325035,
  "title": "Rising costs, end-financing pose as challenges to property development in 1H 2026 – Rehda survey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/rising-costs-end-financing-pose-as-challenges-to-property-development",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T11:10:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/property/2026/09/1539485/rising-costs-end-financing-pose-challenges-property-development-1h-2026-%E2%80%93"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysian property developers continue to face challenges in the first half of 2026, as rising costs and financing constraints pose significant hurdles. According to Zaini Yusoff, president of Rehda Malaysia, end-financing and affordability remain particular concerns, despite launch and sales numbers holding up. The cost of doing business increased by an average of 13 percent between March and June 2026, driven by rising fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainties. Seventy-five percent of respondents reported encountering construction-related challenges, with 62 percent of them attributing these issues to economic conditions. Developers have implemented cost-cutting measures, including freezing recruitment and reducing benefits, and some have even rescheduled planned launches due to poor demand. Unsold properties remain a significant issue, with 59 percent of developers reporting unsold completed residential units as of June. The primary reasons for these unsold units include end-financing loan rejections, high property prices, and unreleased Bumiputera units. Despite these challenges, overall sales have increased modestly, indicating that market demand still exists. Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, developers remain cautious, with only a third planning to launch new projects due to unfavorable market conditions and delays in approvals. However, many developers intend to expand their land banks, demonstrating continued investment in long-term development opportunities.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian property developers continue to face considerable pressure from rising costs, financing constraints, and uncertainties in the wider economic environment, according to Rehda Malaysia president Datuk Zaini Yusoff.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}