At Faye Robert Property, the status “Under Development” means a project has not yet reached completion. It may be in planning, going through approvals, preparing the site, open for an early sales release, under active Construction, or nearing completion. The label helps readers distinguish unfinished projects from completed homes, subsale listings, and properties ready for occupation.
An under development property is a starting point for research, not proof that units are available or that all approvals have been issued. Two projects carrying the same status may be at very different stages.
What an Under Development Property Status Means
The status is a broad website classification for a development that remains somewhere between the proposal stage and completion. It can cover residential towers, mixed-use projects, landed housing schemes, and other developments being tracked for buyers interested in property in Kota Kinabalu.
The individual development record should show the most specific, reliable information available, such as the developer, location, target completion date, number of blocks, unit types, indicative prices, sales gallery information, and construction progress. An under development property may already be marketed, but the status itself does not indicate that sales are open.
It Is a Website Classification, Not a Government Approval
“Under Development” is not a substitute for the formal terms used by Sabah authorities. It is not a planning permission, building-plan approval, housing developer’s licence, Advertisement and Sale Permit, Occupation Certificate, or legal opinion about the project.
Sabah’s current Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Enactment 1978 provides the statutory framework for licensing housing developers and protecting purchasers. Its official consolidated copy includes amendments brought into force in July 2025. The related Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Rules 2008 cover the developer’s licence and Advertisement and Sale Permit.
The Sabah Ministry of Local Government and Housing’s application checklist for a housing developer’s licence and Advertisement and Sale Permit calls for project particulars such as licence and permit information, land tenure, expected completion, prices, unit numbers, approved plans, and supporting documents. A website status cannot confirm all of these items.
For projects within the city authority’s jurisdiction, Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu explains how to apply for planning permission. DBKK’s Building Control Department processes building plans and Occupation Certificates and monitors buildings and structures. These separate steps show why an under development property label is not a blanket approval statement.
What the Status Does Not Confirm
The status does not necessarily mean a buyer can reserve a unit today. It also does not confirm that Construction has started, financing is available, or the advertised target completion date is contractual.
- Units are currently released for sale.
- The developer is accepting booking payments.
- All planning, building, land, and sales approvals have been issued.
- The project has begun physical Construction.
- The target completion date is guaranteed.
- The displayed price applies to every remaining unit.
- The property qualifies for a particular buyer, lender, or foreign-purchase rule.
A buyer considering an under development property should ask for project-specific evidence. Current developer documents, the sale and purchase agreement, financing terms, and the buyer’s legal advice carry more weight than a short website status.
Under Development Compared With Similar Property Terms
| Term | General meaning |
| Coming Soon | A project or sales release expected to be introduced later. Details may still be limited. |
| New Launch | A project or phase newly released to the market by the developer. |
| Under Development | A broad stage covering planning, approvals, site preparation, Construction, or pre-completion. |
| Under Construction | Physical Construction has started and work is underway. |
| Completed | Construction has reached completion, subject to the applicable approvals, handover position, and project documents. |
| Subsale | An existing owner is selling the property rather than the original developer selling a new unit. |
Under Development Versus New Launch
A new launch describes the sales and marketing stage. Under Development refers to the project’s broader state before completion. A project can be newly launched before major Construction begins, or it can launch a later phase after substantial work has already been completed. The guide to new launch versus subsale property explains how the buying process and practical checks differ.
Under Development Versus Under Construction
Under Construction is the narrower term. It normally indicates that physical building work has started. An under development property can include that stage, but it can also include earlier planning, approval, earthwork, or site preparation stages. Buyers who care about timing should ask for dated progress photographs, site information, and the latest construction update.
Under Development Versus Completed
A completed property allows the buyer to inspect the building, facilities, access, surroundings, workmanship, and views. With an unfinished project, more depends on plans, specifications, contractual promises, and the developer’s record. Buyers comparing property formats may also use the guide to landed versus condo property in Kota Kinabalu.
What Buyers Should Verify Before Proceeding
The amount of checking should reflect the project stage and the buyer’s intended commitment. Viewing a preliminary development listing requires less investigation than paying a booking fee or signing a sale and purchase agreement. Before committing money to an under development property, buyers should normally verify the following points with the appropriate parties:
- The legal name of the developer and the name of the project being offered.
- The developer’s licence and the Advertisement and Sale Permit, where applicable.
- The current planning, building plan, land, and construction position.
- The land title, tenure, encumbrances, and any conditions affecting the proposed purchase.
- The exact unit, floor, layout, parking allocation, and specifications are included in the offer.
- The purchase price, discounts, incentives, payment schedule, and refundable or non-refundable amounts.
- The target completion date and the contractual delivery provisions.
- Estimated maintenance charges and sinking-fund obligations for a strata property.
- Loan eligibility, valuation, margin of finance, and the buyer’s cash requirement.
- The lawyer’s review of the sale documents and any conditions applying to the buyer.
The purchase price is only one part of the budget. Legal charges, stamp duties, financing costs, deposits, insurance, valuation charges, and later ownership expenses may also apply. The detailed guide to the cost of buying property in Kota Kinabalu provides a broader checklist for budgeting.
Possible Benefits and Risks
Why Buyers Consider an Under Development Property
An earlier-stage purchase can offer a wider selection of floors, layouts, orientations, views, and parking. New projects may also feature contemporary building systems, facilities, security, and unit designs. Payment timing depends on the contract and project.
These are possible advantages, not guarantees. The result depends on price, location, developer, contract, progress, competing supply, and the buyer’s plans. The guide to the best areas to live in Kota Kinabalu can help shortlist locations before assessing the specific site.
Risks and Trade-Offs
The main trade-off is that the buyer cannot fully inspect the finished product. Delays, financing changes, interest-rate movements, surrounding Construction, and many competing units at completion can affect the outcome.
Marketing images should be treated as illustrations unless the contract says otherwise. Buyers should focus on approved plans, written specifications, the sale agreement, and current project documents, and then decide whether the expected timing fits their housing, rental, or cash-flow plans for the under development property.
Foreign Buyers and Financing
The status does not decide whether a foreign buyer can purchase a unit or whether a bank will finance it. Eligibility may depend on the buyer, property type, title, price, state requirements, project approvals, valuation, and lender. The overview of foreign buyer property rules in Sabah covers the main purchase issues; buyers should also obtain a current financing assessment for the specific under development property.
How to Compare Under Development Projects
Compare like with like: property type, unit size, effective price, parking, maintenance estimates, target completion, developer record, access, and likely future supply. Price per square foot helps, but layout efficiency, tenure, specifications, and total ownership cost also matter.
Our three-project guide lets readers compare The Logg, Jesselton Twin Towers, and 88 Avenue using a structured approach. The Kepayan versus Luyang property comparison shows why location and neighbourhood character should also be assessed separately from the building itself.
Shortlist developments, then visit the sales gallery and site area at different times. Check road access, nearby Construction, services, and likely travel routes. This diligence turns a broad under development property search into a practical comparison.
How Faye Robert Can Help
Faye Robert can help buyers identify developments that match their budget, area, property type, and target timing. She can provide available project information, arrange viewings or sales-gallery visits, compare units, and help buyers prepare questions for developers, lawyers, lenders, and other parties. Her role does not replace legal, financial, tax, engineering, or regulatory advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Under Development the Same as Under Construction?
No. Under Construction normally means physical building work has started. Under Development is broader and may include planning, approvals, site preparation, active Construction, or a project approaching completion.
Does Under Development Mean Units Are for Sale?
Not always. A project can be listed for research or advanced awareness before a sales release. Buyers should confirm whether sales are open, which units remain, and whether the developer is authorised to advertise and sell the units being offered.
Is Every Under Development Property a New Launch?
No. A new launch is newly released to the market. A project can remain under development for a considerable period after its first launch, and later phases may have different release dates.
Can I Get a Mortgage for an Under Development Property?
Possibly, but approval is not automatic. The lender will consider the project and developer as well as the borrower’s income, commitments, credit position, valuation, deposit, and requested loan terms.
How Can I Check Whether Construction Has Started?
Ask for the latest dated progress update and visit the site where practical. Distinguish between site clearing, earthworks, piling, structural work, and later finishing stages. A sales representative should be able to explain the current stage, but project documents should also support important statements.
Can Foreign Buyers Purchase an Under Development Property in Sabah?
They may be able to, but the status itself does not decide eligibility. The property, title, price, approvals, state rules, and the purchaser’s circumstances must be checked for the particular transaction.
Conclusion
An under development property is a project that has not yet been completed. The label may cover planning, approvals, site preparation, Construction, or the final stages before completion. It is useful for filtering listings, but it does not confirm availability, approvals, construction progress, financing, or suitability for a particular buyer.
Use the status to identify possibilities, then investigate each project on its own facts. Buyers can begin with the Kota Kinabalu property search and confirm the current project stage, documents, costs, and purchase requirements before making a financial commitment.
Disclaimer
This article provides general property information and was current at the time of writing in July 2026. Project stages, approvals, laws, rules, prices, financing terms, and purchase requirements can change. Buyers should confirm current information with the developer and relevant authorities and obtain independent legal, financial, tax, technical, or other professional advice appropriate to their circumstances.
