My thoughts of buying real estate

 Assalamu'alaikum & Hi,

This morning, I just want to share my thoughts on buying real estate/ property. Most of my closest friends knew that I am currently debtless, Alhamdulillah, although one thing somewhat, is missing. I do not own a property of my own, just yet. It's not that I don't want it. In fact, it is one of my goal.

Many would ask, why, I don't buy a new house and renting. I have my own reasons, and one of it is because, my lifestyle back then requires me to move around, due to the nature of my job. Thus, I have not yet settled down to any place. Hence, renting is a better option for me with my current lifestyle.

However, another major thing that is stopping me for applying for a mortgage is actually due to an experience for me as a child. As the eldest child, I often saw my parents, especially my father struggle to settle his debt, as he does not have a permanent job. His education was until primary 6, and he did not have the chance to go to the high school due to the lack of money. Back then, to enter a high school, one needed at least RM50 to pay for the fees, buy clothes and books and others. So, he stopped his education till primary 6. Though I believe my father was indeed a smart person, well in terms of repairing home, building houses. He also had knowledge in constructions too, as he was once a site supervisor. He had a very good memory even to his last days. He could just recall names, numbers, figures, any facts easily. I do hope he passed me those genes. 

This makes me grateful for having both of my parents that supported me to be where I am now. Alhamdulillah for everything as I am unable to repay them even for the next thousand years. 

So, being a father who did not have a permanent income, he had a hard time dealing with his debt. I still remember one time when I was a child somewhere between 6 years old, or 7 years old, there is one Chinese uncle (in his early 30s) used to visit us, as telling me that he is my father's friend. He introduced himself as 'Ah-Long". Being an innocent child, of course I acknowledged him as Uncle Ah Long.

There were a few times Ah-Long visited us, whenever my father is at home or not. If he's not around I would tell Uncle Ah Long that he is not around. Sometimes, we also got a few calls from "Uncle Ah-Long". 

As I grew up, I slowly realized that Uncle Ah-Long, is not my father's friend but in fact a money lender, or a shark. Well, I have to praise this Ah Long back in the 90s for behaving nicely, you know very "beradab" unlike the nowadays Ah-Long.

Thus, these memories, became my core memories, that I should not be in debt in anyway or any situations. I would need to be debtless as much as I could. My only loan was my education loan, PTPTN, which I had settled years ago Alhamdulillah. I would also refrain myself from borrowing money from anyone, nor spending so much on my credit card. I would always settle my credit card in full. I have to say being debtless, does makes me feel calm and I could go anywhere I want without any worry. I owe nobody, no banks, no Ah-Longs.

Hence, this is the reason why I do not own any property until now, because I could not afford a property in cash (at least back then). Well, after so many years of working, I do save some of my money for this reason. In fact, it has been years I have been looking around Kuching for any possible land or house to buy. I am still looking around as we speak. There are a few that catch my eyes. I pray and hope I'll get my own property one day, insyaAllah.

Please pray for me too =).

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