At 28 & 30, assuming they started work at 20-21. If they are graduates and have been working for 8-10 years, rightfully they should have been able to save the 10% for a modest home.

So, the fact is, people need to buy within their means. But they expect the value of things to match their income instead. So, if they have slow growth in their income, then goods and services should also not grow? That's complete BS. There are always home that will match their income, but they do not want it because they either think it's too small, too far, too ugly, not in posh neighbourhood and all sorts of excuse. I remember in another thread someone posted an old house in Bandar Tun Razak going for less than RM200k not too many months ago. Now, tell me if that is unaffordable. Heck if they want to complain, I have a Low Cost Flat about 720 sqft going for RM110k if they want in Puchong. I'll sell it to them. Cyberjaya pigeon hole 700 sqft going for RM400-500k. So? If it's a home people are looking for, do they want it?

It is now about expectations. I bought a 1400 sgft condo for RM260k in 2005 when I was 31. Now you can't find one like that for sure. So, with the same budget or around 300k, opt for something smaller and maybe slightly further away. There is no price to suit everyone. But there are multiple price ranges to suit diff people with different earning capacity.

I only managed to buy my own home at the age of 31, mind you. That's why some people said, we have to work hard, be stingy and save to buy a home. We did not have it easy as you claim. Now graduates come out only, want smartphone, want nice car and etc. If you must know, they are born into an era of privileges as well where the previous generation has provided a roof over their head, provided for their education, provided for their current needs in a bustling environment where good food and entertainment are everywhere. Back in my 20's, I didn't know what fine dining was except at hotels. But now, all these teenagers are eating in them and they are everywhere. When I was in college 1992/94, I had 2 jobs; weekdays night till midnight after classes and Sat/Sun full day. When I started working full time, I still maintain my week nights job and the Sunday job. 3 jobs. Now Gen Y, tak suka only, quit. Look for job, ask for 4-6k even with only 1-2 years experience. Yes, not all of them, but many of them.

So, stop whining puuhleaseeee .. there are many others who had it even tougher than me.

This post has been edited by matthewctj: Sep 10 2013, 02:07 PM

Cheras, Taman Midah

Only those who remains stagnant in their job will struggle. You cannot depend on salary increments alone to catch up with inflation unless the company you work for provides an increment of 10% PA. There are many who choose to hop between jobs to constantly improve their remuneration. Each jump normally nets them between 20-30% jump in salary. So, depending on how many times you job hop, in 10 years, that is quite significant and will catch up to inflation of living standards (not necessarily cost of properties). Now, if a person cannot hop because of lack of experience or just not qualified enough, then that's life isn't it? Who says life is fair? Life is as fair as your make it to be. Depend not on others.

There is no point in comparing other countries. Countries economy is not something we the citizens can do something about. It is what it is. But what we can do is our circumstances.

So, lets look at your example. Started work in 2008, how many times have you job hop? Are you good in your skill that you get head hunted? You have had 5 years since then. Tell me now that your salary has increased to 4-5k a month at least? If you depend on 10% increment per annum, then you are only earning RM3.4k a month in 2013. Mind you, many companies don't even jump 10%. If your objective is to buy a property after 5 years or working, who says there isn't any to meet your budget? The problem is, a lot of people are not looking for property within their capability. Instead, they want property price to come down to meet their needs instead. They get influenced by the the profits that many have made in the past few years, influenced by all the advertised properties, influenced by all the people around them because suddenly, everywhere you go, people ask, "Which property have you bought?" or "Don't wait, price will increase. Buy now". So many times I have heard even those in the mid-20s look for property to invest, not even for their first home.

My time, many were looking for staying. Now everyone wants to buy to make money.

Then, you have truly mistaken the point of my whole post anyway. I wasn't advising on how people should advance in their career nor how to increase wealth by acquiring property. I wouldn't dare nor am I qualified to do so. It was more to highlight that not everyone is going to be able to purchase a property of their choice, especially referring to those who says it is meant for staying. To say that young graduates after working for years and can't afford a property is false. There are many who choose to stay in Seremban/Nilai and commute to work in KL everyday. Far? Yes, but sacrifices are made. Who says life was meant to be fair and easy? An old friend of mine relocated with his wife and child to Malacca, simply because living standards here in KL is far greater than what he can afford. Sold his home in Cheras and bought a smaller size home in Malacca. Is it because he wants to? No, but he did what is best for his family.

People whine. The poor will whine about the mid-income, the mid-income will whine about the wealthy and even the wealthy will whine about the poor for having benefits because of the tax the wealthy pay, and it will continue till the end of the world. The sooner people realize life isn't meant to be a bed of roses, the sooner people get out of their butts and try to improve themselves., irrespective of whatever income groups they fall under.