While I dont mind renting for the time being, hes been on the lookout to buy a house.
Well, he found one in an up-and-coming neighborhood thats right in our budget.
And what should we do to protect ourselves in case we split up while owning the house?
You dont need to get married before you buy a home before you have 2.5 kids and a dog.
But while emotionally its all warm fuzzies, beyond that its more complex.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
So thats your head stuff.
What about your heart?
He stressed that a joint home purchase requires a full commitment from both halves of the couple.
This is about the two of you.
Its not about anyone else.
Forget about all the people who tried to flip homes in 2007 and lost their life savings.
The investors are in their own category.
As for the people living in their homes who lost them to foreclosure?
For so many, there was another factor in the mix, like a job loss or medical bills.
If youremergency fundis shored up, youll be less likely to suffer if the housing market drops dramatically again.
Dont fret over interest rates.
Todays interest rates are between 4% and 5%.
Even todays adjustable-rate mortgages are less volatile than those of a decade ago.
Beyond interest rates, Id consider thehidden costs of owning a home.
Youre ready for the mortgage payments, but are you ready for the property taxes?
What about the maintenance costs and the actual maintenance?
As for putting down roots, thats a question only it’s possible for you to answer.
When youre browsing around open houses, dont just dream of paint colors and backyard gardens.
Disclaimer: Chosen questions and featured answers will appear in The Penny Hoarders Dear Penny column.
I wont be able to answer every single letter (I can only pop in so fast!).
We reserve the right to edit and publish your questions.
Dont worry your identity will remain anonymous.
I do, however, promise to give you honest advice based on my own insights and real-life experiences.
Lisa Rowan is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
