(No. 32). If someone has recently made other life changes, such as marriage (No. 7), switching careers (No. 18), or having a child (No. 14), it might be wise to postpone buying a home. Stress overload can lead to missed payments, which can result in destroyed credit or even losing the home. It’s better to rent if your life is in flux and then buy when your stress levels are lower. Are you ready for commitment? Are you ready to make lots of decisions, from picking a real estate agent to picking paint colors? Are you confident enough to choose a neighborhood where you believe home values will continue to appreciate and that will serve your needs (i.e., proximity to schools, shopping, recreation, etc.)? Are you ready for devoting the time and attention to maintaining a home (i.e., leaf-raking, grass-cutting, appliance maintenance and repair, etc.)? Taking care of your biggest investment can be gratifying, but only if you’re ready.
ADVANTAGES OF BUYING YOUR HOME
Control over housing expense. By selecting a fixed rate loan – either a 15, 20, 25, or 30 year mortgage, the homeowner has assurance that the housing loan payment will not increase over the period of the loan unless the loan is refinanced. Another benefit of homeownership is that after the last payment is made on the loan, the owner’s monthly housing expense will decrease dramatically. Keep in mind that the other costs associated with the home such as taxes, insurance and home-owner’s association fees and certain utilities will continue and may go up or down. You build equity. Some of each monthly mortgage payment goes toward the loan’s interest. Other portions may go to homeowner’s insurance and county taxes. The remainder pays down the loan principal. Every dollar put toward your loan’s principal represents a dollar of equity — actual ownership of the property. Further, the property should appreciate in value each year, further adding to equity (what the house could be sold for versus
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