THE degree of luxury is relative, and by extension luxury homes-To those who live in a compact 500sq ft low-cost flat, moving to a 1,000sq ft apartment can be absolute luxury-To those who reside in a 22ft by 75ft terrace, upgrading to a 3,000sq ft semi-detached home with a large porch is considered a luxury too-And to a family which has just collected the key to a brand new resortstyle residence in a select enclave that comes complete with a private swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa and sauna, lush greenery and generous space for children to roam safely and for adults to entertain or accommodate guests who visit --- that is also luxury-In keeping with these scenarios, today's Luxury Living highlights exclusive homes for those who have arrived, as well as sheds some light on the situation of the masses - especially young working adults who have been given a leg up by the My First Home Scheme (Skim Rumah Pertamaku) financing plan announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently-Individuals with a monthly income of RM3,000 can now borrow for the entire cost of homes priced between RM100,000 and RM220,000 with a mortgage period of up to 30 years-Meanwhile for the discerning, for those who have made it and the upgraders, Sime Darby Property Bhd's Novella 10 semi-dees in Bukit Jelutong, Selangor, starting from RM3-7 million; Bandar Raya Developments Bhd's 6 CapSquare Manhattan-style condominium units in Kuala Lumpur pegged from RM1-3 million; and Michigan Properties Sdn Bhd's TAR Villas in Ampang, KL, indicatively priced above RM6-5 million; are among the latest luxury offerings- More on the projects on pages 4, 6 and 9-But for those still without their dream home, and excluding those who may have inherited properties, owning their very first is doable, when you take the first step, through My First Home Scheme-You may live in your first home, say, for 10 years during which you would have climbed the career ladder with higher income- By then, you could sell the first home and use the profit to upgrade to a bigger, better place-Give another decade or so and a handsome salary will enable you to sell the second home and invest in a luxury residence- Many people have successfully taken this path, and so can you-...
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