You typically need a 10% down payment to buy a house in Malaysia, since banks finance up to 90% of the price for most buyers. On an RM500,000 home that is RM50,000 — but the real upfront cash also includes the booking fee, stamp duty and legal fees, so budget beyond the 10%.
The 10% Down Payment
Standard home-loan margin of financing is 90%, so buyers put down 10% of the purchase price. On common prices:
- RM300,000 home → RM30,000 down payment
- RM500,000 home → RM50,000 down payment
- RM800,000 home → RM80,000 down payment
First-time buyers may access higher-margin loans or schemes on eligible properties. Estimate your loan and instalment with the home loan calculator.
Other Upfront Costs (Beyond the Deposit)
- Booking fee / EOI: RM1,000–10,000 for new launches (part of the down payment)
- MOT stamp duty: tiered — 1% on the first RM100k, 2% up to RM500k, 3% up to RM1m, 4% above
- Loan agreement stamp duty: 0.5% of the loan amount
- Legal fees: ~1%–1.25% of the price on the SPA and loan documents
First-time buyers get a full waiver of MOT + loan stamp duty on homes up to RM500,000 (for SPAs signed to 31 December 2027, Budget 2026). Estimate the exact figures with the stamp duty calculator. (Statutory rates as reviewed 2026.)
How Much Cash Should You Save?
As a rule of thumb, budget 12%–15% of the price in cash for a subsale purchase (10% deposit + stamp duty + legal + valuation), less if you qualify for first-time-buyer exemptions or a new-launch package where the developer absorbs legal fees. Check what salary supports your target price with the salary-to-buy-a-house guide.
Ready to Buy?
Browse new property launches (many with low booking fees and absorbed legal fees) or read the first-time buyer guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much deposit do I need to buy a house in Malaysia?
Typically 10% of the purchase price, since banks finance up to 90% for most buyers — RM50,000 on an RM500,000 home. On top of the deposit, budget for the booking fee, MOT stamp duty, loan stamp duty (0.5%) and legal fees, so plan for roughly 12%–15% of the price in total upfront cash for a subsale purchase.
Can I buy a house in Malaysia with no deposit?
It is difficult for most buyers, as the standard margin of financing is 90%. Some first-time-buyer schemes and selected new-launch packages offer higher financing or rebates that reduce the cash needed, but a genuine zero-deposit purchase is uncommon and depends on your credit profile and the specific scheme.
Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty in Malaysia?
First-time Malaysian buyers get a full exemption on MOT stamp duty and loan agreement stamp duty for homes up to RM500,000, for sale agreements signed until 31 December 2027 (Budget 2026). Above that cap, standard tiered stamp duty applies. Use the stamp duty calculator to estimate your exact cost.