Homes, To B(uy) or Not to B(uy)
Whether you are just moving out on your own for the first time, or you've moved ten times before, there is always a big choice to make. Do you rent or buy your home? There are valid arguments on both sides, and in different scenarios either one could be the right choice. When you start looking into your next, and possibly final living space, there are a number of things you should consider. When deciding whether to rent or to buy you might first look at how long you plan to stay before moving again. If you thrive on frequent change and the freedom of spontaneity, buying might not be the best choice. Renting a house is often considerably easier than selling one. Another more obvious consideration is your financial picture. Do you have enough for a down payment of 10 percent, or is one month's rent more in your budget? Credit worthiness is a significant factor. In order to secure a loan you will need to demonstrate capacity to repay, strong credit history and collateral to secure the loan. Although your credit union can help you explore some viable lending options if you have a few credit blemishes, very poor credit may eliminate all funding options. You may choose to rent while you rebuild your credit score and save some money.
Some advantages of renting 1. You have to pay a deposit to move in, but can get it back at the end of your lease, assuming there is no damage to the property. 2. Repairs to the property are generally covered by the owner. 3. You do not have to pay property taxes or insurance (although you should consider renters insurance) on the rental property. 4. You do not have to worry about marketing it yourself if you chose to move. These can be powerful advantages for people without strong community ties or in temporary circumstances or with financial concerns. Some disadvantages of renting 1. You have no equity in your payments, and when you move, the money you paid to rent is gone. 2. You have to abide by the rules of the property owner, and many times the rent does not reflect on your credit unless you have a negative experience, such as an eviction. 3. You are limited in terms of creating a space "uniquely yours" (i.e. limited possibilities for remodeling). A few thoughts on buying Buying a home requires a good deal of thought and investment, but it can be an excellent option for those with the credit, money, and desire to remain in one place for an extended period. The upside of buying a house is that it is yours, and you can do what you wish with it (within reason of course, or you will have neighbors/associations to answer to!). Many homeowners appreciate opportunities to personalize their homes and painting, remodeling, and adding on become exciting options. Making house payments and improvements on your home also helps build equity, making the house worth more with time. Owning a home also offers advantages at tax time and can be an important resource if you ever need to borrow a large sum of money. There are some downsides to buying. If it breaks, you get to fix it. There is no maintenance man or deductions on rent for self-repair. You also have to pay all taxes and insurance on your home, causing more of an expense than renting somewhere comparable. Issues regarding value are also in play. Purchasing a home should be an investment. If your home loses value because of changes in the neighborhood or the market you may end up losing money. What's most important for making the best decision for your situation is research and a careful review of your short and long term financial goals. The choice is yours. Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of
http://CreditUnionRate.com - The Leading Credit Union Directory
Search, Find, Join.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Secured Homeowner Loans to Reiterate that a Home Provides More than a Roof Over Your Head
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."
Types of Mortgage Interest Rate
Here is a useful guide to the different types of Mortgage Interest Rates that are available. Mortgage Lenders offer all kinds of different deals when it comes to the interest you pay on your mortgage. Sometimes you may have a choice, sometimes you may not.
Bad Credit Mortgage Loans Online - How Your FICO Credit Score Can Affect Your Loan Approval
When applying for a mortgage loan when you have a bad credit history. There are a few things you should know about your FICO score that will help you know what to expect from mortgage lenders.
Seniors Can Use a Reverse Mortgage to Fund Annuities, Investments, and Insurance Policies
For many seniors in or entering retirement, the prospect of purchasing long-term care, investments or annuities can be cut short by a lack of retirement income. Statistics show that 3 out 4 seniors will have to lower their current standard of living during retirement. Social Security, IRA's, 401k's, and other methods of retirement income usually provide enough income for living expenses and recreational activities, but do not leave much room to improve your financial future. A Reverse Mortgage is an increasingly popular solution for increasing income, and large amount of tax-free funds to safely move into investments and securities.
How To Tap In To Your Home Equity
With today's relatively low interest rates and climbing
property values, many consumers are considering taping into
their home equity to finance everything from home
improvement projects to debt consolidation.
Online Home Equity Loans: A Basic Glossary
Home equity loans can be a great idea for individuals looking to get out of debt or make necessary repairs on their homes. During the process, you will come across a variety of terms and acronyms. We have gathered together some of the basic terms that you come across during your home equity loan. If you have any questions about any of these terms, make sure to consult with your mortgage lender.
Should You Refinance?
There are several reasons that might make someone consider refinancing their existing mortgage. One would be to get a lower interest rate than what they currently have, thereby reducing monthly payments and lowering the overall cost of the mortgage. Another is to shorten the length of the loan, which can save quite a bit in interest payments. Thirdly, someone may have other debts that they wish to pay off, and refinancing may provide them a means of consolidating that debt into one overall lower payment.
Online Mortgage Loan Companies Are Convenient
There are many reasons to use the internet to take care of your mortgage loan needs. Online mortgage companies can give you quick answers to your mortgage application and can often times give you an answer of whether or not you have been pre-approved within 24-48 hours after you submit your mortgage application.
Be Prepared With Your Home Equity Loan Checklist
A home equity loan can be an excellent way to obtain money in order to pay off high interest bills or consolidate your current debt into one monthly payment. A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. Because the home is likely to be a consumer's largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses. Additional benefits include a nice tax advantage and the possibility of an overall lower monthly payment. However before you decide that a home equity loan is right for you make sure you do your homework.
Home Mortgages: How About Those 1.75% Loans?
You've undoubtedly heard or seen ads for mortgages with very low interest rates such as 1.75%. For example, one mortgage company in the city where I live is advertising a 40-year mortgage with a 1.75% interest rate. That sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn't it? After all, if you were to buy a house for $250,000 with this rate, your payment (not including taxes and insurance) would be only $632 a month.
Refinancing Online - Tips For Getting a Low Interest Rate When Applying Online
Refinancing online is a great opportunity to find low interest rates. Online mortgage lenders provide information about rates and fees for easy comparisons. However, to find the lowest interest rates, you will need to do more than just surf sites. The following tips will give you the edge in your refinancing search.
Remortgages Guide
Outlined below is a useful remortgages guide. Remortgaging has become increasingly popular due to the relatively simple and flexible process.
Mortgage Reduction Solutions
USA ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Refinancing Your Home Mortgage Loan
You're considering refinancing your home mortgage loan to save money. Interest rates are the lowest they have been in decades. But, you're asking yourself, "Is refinancing worth my time and effort. Can I really save thousands of dollars on my home mortgage loan?" The answer is yes. There has never been a better time to refinance your home mortgage.
Home Equity Loans - 5 Useful Application Tips
Obtaining a home equity loan does not have to be a major ordeal. Unlike your first mortgage, you are already in the home, and usually time is not such a major factor. You can close the loan at your own leisure, and take your time researching the different options available to you. Below you will find five tips that will help you make the process as painless as possible. Remember that your best defense is a good offense, so understand the process and everything that is involved. Don't let your lender pressure you into something that you don't understand.
Renters Have Much to Gain by Pursuing Home Ownership
Buying a home vs. renting is a big decision that takes careful consideration, as most mortgage consultants will agree. But the rewards of home ownership are great. For many years, purchasing real estate has been considered an extremely profitable investment. It is an achievement that offers a sense of pride, financial stability and potential tax advantages.
Home Mortgage Interest Rates: How to Compare
Whether you are looking to purchase your first home, sell your current home and purchase a new one, or you are wondering whether or not you should refinance your existing mortgage, it is beneficial to compare current home mortgage interest rates from several companies to be sure you get the best deal possible. They can be researched very easily online, and you can tailor your search to give you accurate rates based on the state that you will live in, whether you are buying or refinancing, and the amount of the loan.
The Worst Way to Shop for a Home Mortgage
You've found a house that is perfect for you. It is so appealing that you're willing to endure the hassle of obtaining a mortgage.
Save Money on Your Mortgage
You should say goodbye to PMI. You may not notice it in the crush of your monthly mortgage statement, but many Americans pay for a line item called PMI. PMI stands for "personal mortgage insurance," and lenders impose it on customers who have less than twenty percent equity in their homes.
I Have A Slice of the American Dream and It is a 30 Year Nightmare
Well, we did it. We are buying a beautiful, brand new house, planning our wedding, and getting ready to move. The cramped trailer we have lived in will just be a memory. The house we are buying is a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car garage slice of the American Dream.
|
