“I used to be very FOMO (fear of missing out) when people kept saying, ‘Buy a house while you’re still young. It’ll be easier later.’”
That mindset is what led a Malaysian woman to sign up for an under-construction home that, seven years later, is still nowhere near completion.
In a candid social media post, she shared how pressure to buy early turned what she thought was a smart long-term decision into years of financial and emotional strain.
“It was exciting going from one showroom to another”
At the time, she felt confident she was making the right choice.
“It was exciting hopping from one showroom to another, visiting different housing projects,” she wrote.
Eventually, she settled on a project that appeared promising. It was marketed with Islamic-themed architecture, separate gym facilities for men and women, and a well-designed community surau.
The address was listed under Kuala Lumpur, and the price was still manageable based on her salary back then.
“After thinking it through, I signed the agreement.”
Seven years later, the house is still not ready
The project was supposed to be completed in 2022. As of now, it remains under construction.
Seven years have passed, and the project that was supposed to be completed in 2022 is still under construction,” she wrote.
What weighs on her now is not just the delay, but the ongoing financial burden.
“Paying monthly instalments without seeing any results has started to feel really heavy,” she shared, adding that progressive interest continues to increase every month.
Although she was told that keys might only be handed over in 2026 or 2027, her enthusiasm has long faded.
“My heart is already tired. Honestly, I don’t know anymore.”
“This isn’t just about money”
She stressed that the impact of a delayed project goes far beyond finances.
It hurts so much when a project becomes problematic or abandoned. It’s not just a financial issue. So many life decisions end up being tied to it,” she explained.
She also pointed out that many buyers misunderstand how little protection they actually have.
“As buyers, we have almost no protection while the house is still unfinished,” she said.
She added that Liquidated Ascertained Damages can only be claimed if the house is eventually completed.
If the project is abandoned and never finished, the reality is that you keep paying the loan without ever getting a house.”
Failing to continue payments could even lead to bankruptcy.
“If you stop paying and the amount exceeds the bankruptcy threshold, you could be declared bankrupt.”
Confidence shaken despite government backing
Part of what convinced her and nearly 3,000 other buyers to sign on was the belief that the project was safe due to government involvement.
One of the reasons many buyers were confident was because the project was under a government initiative,” she said.
However, seeing other abandoned developments that have remained unfinished for decades made her question that confidence.
“As long as a house remains abandoned and unfinished, there’s no compensation to claim.”
Netizens share painful experiences
Her story struck a chord with many Malaysians, who flooded the comments with similar experiences.
“This is exactly why I would rather buy a completed house than one that’s still under construction,” one netizen wrote. “I’d rather pay more than take that kind of risk.”
Another shared a similar struggle.
“My husband bought his house in 2019 and until now it’s still not completed. We’ve sent so many letters to the ministry and even hired a lawyer,” the netizen said.
“Paying monthly instalments is compulsory because the loan has been released. It’s seriously exhausting.”
Others urged future buyers to be cautious.
“You really need to look at the developer. Don’t take chances with developers that don’t have a solid track record,” one commented.
One particularly heartbreaking story stood out.
“My late father bought a house from a friend who was a small-scale developer. The project was delayed for years until my father ended up bankrupt,” the netizen shared.
“Houses can either be your asset or your downfall. Choose wisely.”
“I’m sharing this as a reminder, not a complaint”
Despite the frustration, the woman clarified that she was not posting to complain.
“I’m sharing this purely as a reminder not to be driven by FOMO when it comes to buying under-construction homes,” she wrote.
She urged those in their 20s and 30s not to rush into major commitments simply because others are doing so.
“When you see others buying houses, you feel like you need one too. When elders pressure you to buy, you follow along,” she said.
For now, all she can do is focus on what she can control.
“I’ll continue paying the loan, including the arrears. Once I finally get the keys, only then will I think about the next step.”
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