Buying a Home? The Three Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself
Anyone that knows me knows I’m very enthusiastic about real estate. I know this sounds absurd to a few and obvious to a few others. Most people really make up their minds when they decide to buy a home, however.
Here are the three most important questions I think everyone should ask themselves before they decide to become a home buyer. The answers should guide you to whether you are ready to join the rest of us.
1. Can you afford to buy a home? Seems obvious, doesn’t it? Yet, when we are in the midst of a real estate frenzy like we had just three years ago not too many people stop to ask themselves that question. There are always unscrupulous people out there wanting to sell you things you can’t afford. Use your own judgment and calculator to figure out if you can afford to listen to them. And just as you will run into people you would not want to do business with, you will also meet good people you can trust. You should be able to tell the difference. And pick the right one.
2. How long do you intend to live in that home? If you only intend to live in a house for 2 years and move somewhere else, perhaps for a job, ask yourself why you’re even considering buying and if it wouldn’t be better for you to rent. You might save on closing costs as well. However, if you’re settled in and intend living in the home for ever, a home is one of the safest investments you can make towards your retirement.
3. WHY are you buying? My mortgage broker asks almost everyone this questions, getting them really puzzled. But it’s imperative you answer this question to yourself to get a good idea of your motivation and then check it against the facts in combination with the above two questions. For example, if you are buying to flip a home, now is probably not a good time.
Answer these three questions and whether you should purchase a home or not should come into perspective!
