Couple Banks 20% For 5 Years, Unlocks RM700,000 Dream Home
At 31 and 30 respectively, Sollehi and Munirah have pulled off the ultimate ‘heist’: snagging a two-story terrace house that would make any millennial weep with envy.
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A power couple is living proof that sometimes, the house always wins—especially when you’re the one buying it.
Mohd Sollehi Arshad and Munirah Mahmud religiously squirrelled away 20 per cent of their income for five years.
The result? A stunning two-story terrace house in Mambau, Negeri Sembilan, worth a cool RM700,000.
Their secret weapon? A five-year disciplined savings plan.
The Five-Year Plan That Paid Off
“Every month, my wife and I make sure to save at least 20 per cent of our income together, which is dedicated to savings and used to buy important things, including preparation for buying a house,” Mohd Sollehi reveals to Harian Metro.
The plot twist? They weren’t even looking to buy.
The savvy savers are out on a regular shopping trip when fate intervenes.
They stumble upon a property fair, and suddenly, all those years of penny-pinching crystallize into their dream home.
READ MORE: Malaysians Lack Confidence In Achieving Their Desired Level Of Long-Term Savings, Says Survey
Location, Location, Location: The Perks of Foresight
And because they’re overachievers, they even had enough left over for renovations and decor.
These two didn’t just buy a house; they invested in a growing community. Schools, shops, and medical centres are all in the pipeline.
“This is important so that in the future, as residents, it will be convenient for us to access these facilities. Additionally, this area is also close to the highway,” he said.
Five years of saving for a lifetime of convenience? Sounds like a bargain to us!
When looking for a home here are some tips to consider that you may not have thought of before :
— MarieJualKondo 🇲🇾🌺 (@natashagideon) October 28, 2022
1. Location for two reasons. One : distance to work. Kalau you beli jauh tapi murah, you still spend on petrol, maintenance, toll and extra expenses which sometimes adds up to a lot pic.twitter.com/kED9PKIKlm
Latte-to-Landlord: A Wake-Up Call for Renters
As Malaysia grapples with a housing market that’s about as friendly as a hangry tiger, this couple’s story is a beacon of hope—or a wake-up call, depending on how you look at it.
They’ve shown that with enough determination, savvy, and willingness to say no to avocado toast, the dream of homeownership isn’t dead.
So, to all aspiring homeowners out there drowning your sorrows in overpriced lattes and wondering if you’ll ever escape the rental rat race, take heart.
All you need now is the courage to follow it—and maybe a time machine to travel back five years and start saving again.
READ MORE: 300 Rejections: Malaysian Indian Woman’s Struggle With Housing Discrimination
Q: What house can I afford?
— Suraya: bestselling Bergaji & Pokai book (@surayaror) September 19, 2023
Like this lah. For every RM300k, expect to pay ~RM1.5k in mortgage
So RM600k house = ~RM3K monthly, RM900k house = ~RM4.5k monthly, and so on
Actual amount depends on the rate you got, financing amount, taxes, sinking fund etc etc but around there… pic.twitter.com/s4V4RoMb1L
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