First-time home buyer? Here’s How to Buy an Affordable Home

Moving into a home and calling it a home is a goal for everyone, yet most of us may struggle to afford one.

Affordable housing is sufficient in quality and location and also satisfies other basic living needs.

Some individuals believe that purchasing a home is an unattainable ideal for those who are not wealthy. But that is not the case. Perhaps you have not located the appropriate housing programs or home-buying incentives for you. For instance, there are many available homebuying incentives and financing schemes in Malaysia. One of them is Rumah Selangorku (RSKU).

Eligibility for Rumah Selangorku (RSKU)

RSKU, which was first established in 2014, is intended to assist middle-income people in purchasing inexpensive homes in key urban centers within the state of Selangor.

The properties under this scheme include high-rise apartments and landed houses. Prices range from RM42,000 to RM250,000 depending on the type of property.

Under the RSKU scheme, the houses are categorized into five types A, B, C, D, and E, with different eligibility criteria, depending on the applicant’s monthly household income. Applicants are allowed to choose only one type of house.

Here are the eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old
• He or she must be a Malaysian citizen and a resident of Selangor
• Rumah Selangorku is for first-time home buyers only
• The husband or wife may apply for Rumah Selangorku. However, only one offer will be given to each household.
• Applicants do not own a property either through a government or private project in Selangor
• Type A: Maximum household income of RM3,000 per month
• Type B: Maximum household income of RM7,000 per month
• Type C: Maximum household income of RM10,000 per month
• Type D & E: Maximum household income of RM14,500 per month

In addition, there are some ground rules that potential buyers need to adhere to:

• The property cannot be sold within 5 years of purchase
• The owners are not allowed to rent out the property
• Applications are active for two years
• After two years, if not successful, applicants may apply again

Affordable housing target exceeded in Selangor

A home that is good value for money is one that is not overly expensive yet still livable.

According to Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, the state government expects 45,000 affordable housing units to be erected in Selangor by the end of the year, above its initial target of 30,000 such units. On Friday (September 22), the Selangor Mentri Besar witnessed the key handover ceremony of 420 units of Pangsapuri Selangorku at Seri Temenggung in Batu Caves.

Amirudin also shared that before the projected revitalization of old towns and places in Selangor could be executed, federal laws and regulations would need to be revised.

Selangor Development Authority deputy chief executive officer (management and entrepreneurship) Suhaimi elaborated further that Seri Temenggung is an ideal home for 420 families who can now enjoy a safe, comfortable, and high-quality home.

Seri Temenggung apartments have built-up areas of 750/900 and 1,000 square feet, priced at RM100,000, RM160,000, and RM220,000, respectively. The project also provides a variety of community facilities, such as children’s playgrounds, mosques, and multi-purpose halls. Other amenities include kindergarten, a game room, a reading room, and a conference room.

The project is strategically located and adjacent to major transportation networks such as Jalan Sri Gombak, Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), and Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) in Selangor.

Nearby public facilities include gymnasiums, community halls, leisure green spaces, supermarkets, commercial shops, schools, and hospitals.