Buying a home doesn't have to be a stressful experience.  I understand the importance of such an investment, both personally and financially, and will assist you every step of the way.

 

To calculate whether renting or buying is the best financial option for you, use this calculator courtesy of Ginnie Mae: 

http://www.ginniemae.gov/rent_vs_buy/rent_vs_buy_calc.asp?Section=YPTH



7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home

  1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.
  2. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Ò found that a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in a home.
  3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
  4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
  5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your mortgage payments don’t go up over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will rise.
  6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and be able to benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
  7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.



5 Common First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes

  1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal.
  2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.
  3. They don’t find the right real estate professional who is willing to help you through the homebuying process.
  4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look good to a seller.
  5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.