There is more to Launa Alvaranga's story. Getting the material needed to build was a tedious task.

"Luckily for me, with the assistance of a dear friend, Beverley Watson, of Watson's Brothers Hardware, I got construction supplies such as steel and cement on credit.

"Also, having no previous knowledge about construction, I spoke with several tradesmen. I paid for their time to educate me about construction matters. I bought an hour of consultation from them to go through and teach me the various elements I needed to learn in understanding the architect's plan and what the construction process would be like. They told me what I needed to know.

"I also got a list of all the numbers of hardware stores in Montego Bay, St. James. I contacted them and told them what I was doing. I bargained and negotiated with them regarding transportation of my material. I said to them, if I buy this amount from you, will you transport my material to the site. Transportation can cost a lot when building.

"After a while, they trusted me because my cheques were good and I did not try to con them in my dealings. So even when I didn't have the money up front, they still gave me the material I needed.

"I basically managed the project of building my house and negotiated labour cost. The house started in March 2003 and I told them that I wanted to move in by August. However, I did not move until the 15th of October. Sometimes we worked on the house until 9:00 p.m. at nights."

Ann-marie Simpson, 25, purchased a house last year in St. Catherine

"I am in my '10-year life plan'. I always envisioned myself owning homes, having a career, three children and so forth. So it was just a personal goal I had set for myself.

"I purchased the house last summer and the price was $3.5 million.

"I grew up having a hard life, seeing my mother barely making ends meet and I realised from an early age that whatever I want in life it would not be handed to me. I will have to work hard and achieve it on my own. Therefore, I made a vow that I would do the best that I can, while I can, to prepare myself for a future when I am older. I did not want to worry about always paying rent. By the time I reached 60, my plan was to have a house that was paid for that I could retire and enjoy life as much as I can.

"In retrospect, I also evaluated my options and thought about the financial choices I made and the profitability of these choices. I could spend my money on designer clothes and a nice car, but these are all liabilities that decreases in value once acquired. However, an investment in property is the opposite. Ten years from now that outfit that I purchased or that nice car would be worth nothing, but that house would have increased in value.

For the children

"I also thought about giving my children (that I hoped to have), a head start. Through my decisions, they would already have a start on the property ownership ladder.

"The process of buying my house was relatively easy. Once I had decided that I wanted to buy a house I looked at my budget and what I would be able to afford. Then I looked at the market to see what was being offered and what I could get for my money and the different areas where I would like to buy property. I then called different financial institutions to see what the process would involve in acquiring a loan for a mortgage. Realistically, I was only 23 years old with a nine-to-five job; there is no way I could afford to buy a house cash.

"I compared the different offers among the financial institutions for the best options. Once I had narrowed my choice down, I contacted the vendor of the property.

"I obtained a list of all the required paperwork and how much the downpayment would be. I submitted my application; made my downpayment, kept in constant contact with both parties to ensure everything was going smoothly.

"It went quite smoothly and within four months I was closing on the house and collecting my keys. I had the last word on persons who believed I was undertaking the impossible."