Dollars & Sense: Buy a Home or Just Keep Renting?
Be Emotionally Prepared to Buy a Home
Purchasing a home is likely the largest purchase a person will make in their lifetime, and can be an emotional process. That said, prospective homebuyers should not allow their feelings or emotions to cloud sound judgment. If you are going to buy a home, set a budget and stay in it, despite what your realtor may suggest. In real estate, “love at first sight” is an expensive proposition. If you are not emotionally prepared to walk away from your “dream home,” you might want to continue renting.Creditworthiness
A prospective homebuyer’s credit score is one of the biggest criteria considered by lenders in the mortgage application process. The term “credit score” most commonly refers to a FICO score, a number between 300 and 850 that represents a person’s creditworthiness — the likelihood that, if given a loan, that person will be able to pay it off. Lenders typically require a minimum credit score of 620, but for the lowest mortgage rates, you need a credit score of 740 or above. If you do not qualify for the lowest mortgage rates, you should continue renting while you improve your credit score. Buying a house with a higher mortgage rate can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in the end.What Can You Afford?
Most advisors agree that a mortgage payment, or even rent for that matter, should not be more than twenty-five to thirty percent of your gross monthly income. The cost of purchasing a home is much more than just the price tag on the home. Housing costs include mortgage payments, private mortgage insurance, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance premium, homeowner’s association (HOA) fees, utilities (including: electricity, water, trash collection, gas, cable, internet, etc.), crime prevention, cleaning, repairs/maintenance, decorating, landscaping, and home improvements. A prospective homebuyer must consider and budget for these other home-related expenses before making the decision to purchase a home.The Benefits of Renting
Buying a home is a long-term, expensive decision. In many cases, renting is not only the cheaper option, but the better option. If you travel or relocate often, having a lease does not lock you into a long-term investment in a specific location. Additionally, with renting there are little to no repair or maintenance costs, and you have access to amenities such as a gym or a swimming pool in an apartment complex, without additional costs.If you are purchasing a new home or selling an existing home, find an experienced real estate attorney to help you with the transaction by quickly posting a short summary of your legal needs on Legal Services Link, and let the perfect attorney come to you!
Do You Need An Attorney?
If so, post a short summary of your legal needs to our site and let attorneys submit applications to fulfill those needs. No time wasted, no hassle, no confusion, no cost.
Posted - 06/23/2016
Connect with us:
Learn about us:
