JUST FOR BUYERS
Why Use a REALTOR®?
You're ready: You've decided to seize the unique opportunities presented by the current housing market. The single most important transaction in your lifetime should not be conducted without the expertise and assistance of trained and licensed professionals, and this is where REALTORS® come in. Developing a long-term relationship with a REALTOR® is the best way to ensure you will be well-armed and informed when making your housing decisions.
Why Own?
There are many great reasons to consider owning a home:
You'll have a place that is yours!
You'll own it, have a place to raise your children and become a part
of your community. You can pass your home down to your children, and
their children, creating security for generations to come.
You may pay less to own a home than you
would to rent – and it's yours at the end!
Homeownership can reduce the federal income taxes you pay. You can
deduct the interest on your home mortgage and property taxes you pay
on your home on the tax returns you file each year. These tax
savings partially reduce, or offset somewhat, the actual cost of
owning your home.
Your monthly payments won't ever go up if
you choose a fixed-rate mortgage!
If you choose a mortgage with a fixed-interest rate (one that stays
the same for the life of the loan, say 30 years), you'll pay the
same mortgage payment each month for the entire 30 years of the loan
(if your taxes go up, your escrow will go up – increasing your
monthly payment).
You'll build a good nest egg!
Owning a home and building equity is the single greatest source of
financial security and independence for the majority of people
who've taken this step.
A Reality Check
It’s fun to look at houses! This part of the process is very exciting, but don't let your excitement rule the house-hunting process
Stick within your budget – don't look at
homes above what you can afford – even if it's "just a
little" more.
Don't let your heart rule over your head.
You may fall in love with a property, but if it is beyond
your means, it is not the right house for you.
Be flexible. Don’t be disappointed if the
houses in your price range differ from your dream. Buy the
home you can afford rather than the home that "has it all."
Compare what you'd like to have with what you really need.
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