Computerized decision aid for first-time homebuyers

• Main Authors: Sarif, Siti Mahfuzah, Mohamed, S. F. P., Khalid, M.S
• Other Authors: Saeed, Faisal
• Format: Book Section
• Published: Springer 2019
• Subjects: QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/27023/; http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33582-3_89

Technology-mediated assistance in house purchasing decision is evidenced in many developed countries, however, in Malaysia less study was found although the decision challenges faced by first-time homebuyers are undeniable. This study attempts to embed technology assistance in the prominent consumer decision-making process model for the purpose of assisting first time homebuyers to make a house purchasing decision. This study employs mixed method approaches with Klang Valley, Malaysia as case study. 19 housing attributes under Locational, Neighborhood, Structural and Social Cultural group, are surveyed to validate the distinctive nature of the attributes to be part of the decision-making criteria. Factor analysis is performed on 320 data from the potential first-time homebuyers in Klang Valley. Two key factors are confirmed from the analysis; which are needs (i.e. Locational and Structural) and preferences (i.e. Neighborhood and Social Cultural). Both factors are later embedded in the proposed design model of computerized decision aid for homebuyers. The model is then evaluated through expert reviews and data was analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the analysis, which are Suggestion, Concern, Strength, and Limitation. Meaningful discovery on how would the future applications may have an impact is made through analysing themes with negative connotation like Concern and Limitation. The focused themes also reflect actual insights from the industry’s key players, which are useful for improvement of the proposed design model and towards more effective computerized decisionaid for first-time homebuyers.