Am I Ready to Buy a Home? Buying vs. Renting
The decision to purchase a home is a highly personal one. Beyond your personal situation, local market conditions, financing costs, and future expectations must also be evaluated.
The following list of questions can help you decide if you are ready to move forward with a home purchase. Your buyer’s agent can help you sort through these issues and provide essential local market information.
Purchasing Considerations
- If you purchase a home, how long do you expect to live there?
- What can you afford to pay each month for housing-related expenses?
- What are the total costs of home ownership? This may include:
- Mortgage payments
- Property taxes
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Utilities
- Maintenance costs
- Any other special fees?
- Do you expect these housing-related expenses to increase or decrease?
- What additional expenses are required to complete a purchase? (closing costs, moving expenses, etc.)
- How much will your home ownership costs decline after adjusting for interest expense deductions and property taxes (if applicable)?
- Are local market prices favorable to purchasing? What are your expectations on future prices?
- Do you qualify for any special purchasing assistance programs that can help reduce the cost of home ownership?
Renting Considerations
- If you are now a renter, what are your total housing expenses? (monthly rent, utilities, housing assessment or condo fees, parking, etc.)
- How does renting vs. buying factor into your long-term investing goals?
Other Factors
- What are your personal preferences regarding the type of housing you wish to live in? How does location factor into your housing preferences?
- How do you expect your personal situation to change, in terms of future housing needs?
- What are your expectation concerning future employment?
- What are your long-term personal and financial goals, with regard to housing?
