Socioeconomic and Locational Determinants of House Buying Behaviour in Bintulu: A Micro-Level Urban Housing Analysis

This study explores the key determinants shaping consumer house buying behaviour in Bintulu, Sarawak, an urban area experiencing rapid development and rising property prices. Despite mid-range apartment prices exceeding RM400,000 and detached homes in prime locations priced above RM800,000, housing demand in the area remains high. Using a structured questionnaire distributed to 130 respondents, this research examined five core factors: price, location, environment, house features, and living space. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Spearman correlation analysis. The findings reveal that location and environmental factors exert the greatest influence on purchase decisions, while price and living space were comparatively less significant. Moreover, income and occupation levels significantly affect how buyers evaluate housing attributes. Individuals with higher incomes and those working in the private sector or self-employed demonstrated stronger preferences for strategic location and spacious housing. These results suggest that lifestyle needs and urban convenience are taking precedence over traditional affordability concerns. The study contributes to a better understanding of housing market dynamics in secondary Malaysian cities and provides actionable insights for developers, urban planners, and policymakers. Recommendations include aligning housing developments with evolving consumer priorities, improving access to urban amenities, and offering financing strategies tailored to occupational segments. Limitations include the study’s focus on a single location and its cross-sectional nature. Future research should expand the geographic scope and incorporate longitudinal and qualitative approaches to capture deeper behavioural insights.