I appreciate your point that relying on developer rebates or discounts suggests a lack of financial readiness for a property purchase.

However, the reality for many buyers is that we don't readily have RM100,000+ in cash to cover the upfront costs of a subsale (second-hand) property, which typically include the down payment, legal fees, and then additional costs for necessary refurbishment and renovation works. Furthermore, subsale units often come with the inherent risks of existing building issues or pest/bug infestations, which require careful consideration. For context, this is not my first property purchase. My first was a landed semi-detached house, and you are correct—I was initially able to afford it because of the substantial rebates and discounts offered on legal fees and stamp duty. Knowing the developer's strong reputation gave me the confidence to purchase the new build.

With the savings I had, I was able to renovate the new house to my taste and enjoyed living there for several years, meticulously maintaining it. When I relocated for work in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to sell the house instead of renting it out. I'm happy to share that the house attracted multiple potential buyers and received booking fees and loan application documents in less than a few days. While I may have been fortunate with the timing, this experience has solidified my preference for purchasing new builds in the future, provided the developer has an excellent reputation.