Buying a Home Isn’t That Easy
Buying a home is a long-term investment. It’s like getting into a long-term relationship, actually. Really. Think about it.
You’re going to put a lot of time into it, live in the house, maintain it, pay the bills, clean the house, check if it needs repairs – and if it does, do those necessary repairs or fork out the money for a third-party to do it for you.
Which, you know, also costs…money.
And time.
An average house costs at least RM420,000 in Malaysia, which is a rather large amount considering that you don’t even take living and basic expenses into account just yet.
Scary, isn’t it?
The Ministry of Housing has introduced a new home ownership scheme to encourage people to buy homes, but even then, there’s only so much they can do.
Here’s some tips to help you pace your savings!
Save for Down Payment
A house’s down payment is usually at a minimum of 20% or so. Considering the average house price in Malaysia which is about RM420,000, the down payment of 20% would be RM84,000.
Making a down payment means not having to pay for a private mortgage. Annnd not having to pay for a mortgage means less debt and less burden on your finances!
So make sure you save enough for a down payment at the very least. It’ll give you a lot more peace of mind compared to taking out a mortgage for a house.
Find a Home that you can afford
Look for homes in your price range and not outside of your price range.
Draw up a budget and stick to it. Don’t even deviate from it. It’ll help. It’s important that you ask yourself and check:
- Can I afford it and still have savings?
- Does it have everything that I need?
- Is it well-maintained (or only needs minimal repairs)?
- Do I need to take out a loan for this?
Consider all aspects carefully before making a decision. You don’t want to simply choose a house, buy it and then regret it later. Some home-buyers tend to overestimate what they can afford, which leads them into not being able to pay all the bills and maintain the place – leading them to eventually move out.
With a lot less money aka poorer.
Remember, buying a house is a long-term commitment!
The things that you can’t do without
Everyone’s lifestyle is different. Some prefer minimalist living, others might be more environmentally-friendly, the list goes on. What things do you want that enhances your well-being? Is there anything that makes you miserable?
Grab a piece of paper and make a list.
A list of things that:
- You need
- You think will enhance your well-being
- Will be a good future investment
Consider little decorations as well (maybe). For example, plants are a good investment, considering that they help reduce carbon dioxide. And of course not forgetting an alarm system and smoke alarm if you cook.
After that, see if you can find things that suit your needs within your budget. This will help in cutting costs even more.
Amenities
There’s also amenities to consider! Do you want to stay on the outskirts or smack in the middle of the city? Did you get accepted to a university near the place? Which is it?
The places in the heart of the city such as KL, tend to be more expensive due to its strategic location. Boasting the famous Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC and more – KL demonstrates a vibrancy in Malaysia with its interesting mix of concrete and greenery.
If you prefer a more suburban area, Bangsar would be a good choice with its blend of commercial and residence.
If you’d prefer to start renting first, start renting with Zero Deposit today!
