Prepared by: AP. Dr. Rossilah Jamil

Associate Professor Dr. Siti Rahmah Awang has recently won a grant from the National Real Estate Research Coordinator (NAPREC) worth RM75,000 to develop a mobile application called the e-Decision Support System:Buying or Renting (e-DSSBR).

Buying a house is a major step in a person’s life. Rising housing prices have affected the young generation in Malaysia who has just graduated started employment, or earns a lower income. A decision to purchase a house involves consideration of a myriad of factors. The e-DSSBR application will help them in making a better decision on whether to buy or rent a house. The application will analyse related decision-making variables such as government policies, legislation, planning, implementation, needs, and affordability. The application will promote the right financial and social lifestyles amongst the youths.

The 10-month research is part of the RMK12 under the initiative of the National Institute of Valuation (INSPEN),Valuation and Property Management Department (JPPH). The research team consists of experts from AHIBS, the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, and industry partne – Virtual Space Centre.