If your house costs 15 times your annual salary, maybe it’s not the bank that needs convincing. It’s you.
That’s exactly what one Malaysian couple found out when what started as a simple house-hunting trip quickly spiralled into a viral debate about money, marriage, and expectations.
Wife insists on RM580k landed property despite husband’s RM3.5k salary
According to a real estate agent who shared the story online, the husband, who earns RM3,500 a month, had his sights set on a RM330,000 home.
But his wife, a full-time housewife with no personal income, was adamant about owning a landed property worth RM580,000 instead.
What was supposed to be a casual viewing soon turned tense when the wife refused to budge, even after the agent explained the husband’s financial limits.
The husband wanted to buy a RM330,000 house. The wife wanted a RM580,000 landed house. But only the husband is working while the wife is a full-time housewife.
“They argued in front of me. The husband’s salary is RM3,500 with an existing bank commitment of RM450 per month. I explained the husband’s eligibility, but the wife still insisted on the RM580,000 house,” the agent wrote.
Financial expert warns about overstretching
The story caught the attention of financial consultant Dr. Azizul Azli Ahmad, who reminded Malaysians that housing loans should never exceed 35% of one’s monthly income.
If your salary is RM3,500, your monthly commitment should only be around RM1,225. The healthy house price range would be between RM245,000 and RM300,000.
He warned that buying a RM580,000 house would mean paying RM2,800 per month, leaving only RM700 to cover all other expenses.
“After work, you’d be driving Grab until midnight, cutting grass on weekends, and still struggling to make ends meet. Then your wife will post online saying women don’t just need money, they also need attention and love and men will like and agree with her post. That’s life these days,” he said.
‘That’s a struggle’
As the story spread, netizens didn’t hold back with their reactions. Some shared personal experiences of buying homes within their means, while others criticized the wife for being unrealistic.
“RM3.5k salary and a RM1.5k apartment loan plus maintenance? That’s a struggle. Add car loans, utilities, and kids’ expenses; the wife needs a reality check.”
“Even with a good salary, I only bought a RM290k house. I value having extra savings rather than living paycheck to paycheck.”
“A house loan lasts 35 years. Life isn’t about competing with others. Better to have savings than be broke just to show off.”
In the end, the online consensus was clear: financial stability beats showing off any day. A dream home loses its charm quickly if it comes with decades of debt and sleepless nights.
