A New Year, A New You, A New Home

Buying a new home is sometimes like one of those other resolutions on your list -- losing weight, being more productive, getting more involved with friends and family...truth is old habits die hard. Ever heard the saying better the devil you know, then the devil you don't? How about, "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." If you've been considering buying a home of your own for a while now, but continue to sit on the fence because you just aren't sure you want to make that change you are not alone. Just as millions make resolutions every year to lose the weight and get in shape and only a savvy few stick to it and make that change, so too does this happen to would-be new home purchasers. All too often potential new homeowners deter themselves with their own negative self -talk. Change can be scary. Change can be difficult. Sometimes not changing is an easier decision and the path of least resistance. But ask yourself where that decision is getting you? Ask yourself these questions and do some soul searching. Do you want to continue to be a renter in someone else's home? Do you constantly want to ask for permission to make changes such as wall colors, floor coverings, and bathroom tiles, and landscaping? Do you want to continue to improve another person's property because you can't make the leap to be doing this work on your own investment? Are you going to continue to allow someone else to get the income your monthly rent allows verses the tax advantages you'd receive if you were paying into your own mortgage instead of rent? Mortgage rates continue to be favorable in purchasing the most house for the least amount of money. Builders are building in great locations, their neighborhoods are chocked full of amenities not found in older communties, and competition is fierce causing them to provide the biggest bang for your buck. There are so many advantages to home ownership. A new home beats a used home every time! What are you waiting for? If your resolution is to own your own home, you can do it, and it's a lot less hard work than getting that body you want. The devil you don't know yet, is the peace and sense of home ownership you've been abdicating to your landlord. Break out and do something new for the New Year, and get what you really want. Image source: ©PhotoXpress.com