? Can you afford the monthly mortgage and its components? Generally, a mortgage includes loan principal and interest (both amortized over the life of the loan) plus homeowner’s insurance and property taxes (which are pro-rated). These items can affect the monthly loan-only payment by several hundred dollars. ? Are you emotionally ready? Can you handle the stress? A big factor to consider when buying a home is stress. The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, a landmark stress study, ranks many events that go along with buying a home in the top 43 most stressful circumstances in life. Four events are specifically home- related: change in financial state (No. 16), large mortgage or loan (No. 20), change in living conditions (No. 28) and change in residence (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 destroy your credit or even make you lose your 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 in value and that will serve your needs (e.g., proximity to schools, shopping, recreation, etc.)? Are you ready to devote the time and attention to maintain a home (e.g., leaf-raking, grass-cutting, appliance maintenance and repair, etc.)? Taking care of your investment can be gratifying, but only if you are prepared. ADVANTAGES OF BUYING YOUR HOME ; Control over housing expenses. By selecting a fixed-rate 15-, 20-, or 30-year mortgage, the homeowner has assurance that housing costs will not increase over the period, and, in fact, will be eliminated at the end of the term (subject to refinancing).
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