All of us here in the Wise Move AZ Team have been renters at one point or another in our lives and we’ve also been buyers. Guess what! For each of us that home buying experience was so impactful that it sparked our careers in real estate. There is no better feeling in the world than helping someone get into the home of their dreams. Don’t get us wrong, there is definitely a time and place in life for renting but there’s just something about the pride of being able to call a place your own that can’t be beat.
We’ve put together this list of 10 signs you may be ready to take the next step and become a homeowner – let us know if any of them apply to you!
1. YOU PAY YOUR RENT ON TIME AND YOU EVEN HAVE A LITTLE TO SPARE
If you are consistently paying your rent on time and you’re squirrelling a little away into your savings every month you are a great candidate for purchasing a home.
2. YOUR CAREER IS GOING WELL
If you’ve got a good job and steady income you’re well on your way to qualifying for the mortgage to take you from renter to owner. Bonus points if you love what you do and the person you sit next to doesn’t drive you crazy!
3. YOU WANT MORE FREEDOM
Are you getting a little tired of the rules that come along with renting? No big dogs, no painting, no loud music, blah, blah, blah. We totally get it! You want a space where you can do what you want, when you want, and you want the freedom to make it your own! Well guess what… YOUR HOUSE, YOUR RULES!
4. YOU WANT YOUR MONEY TO WORK HARDER
You work so hard to make money and then the rent is due and POOF, just like that it’s gone. Owning a home won’t necessarily decrease your monthly expenses but when you pay your mortgage (instead of rent) you are actually building equity in your home. Think of it as investing in yourself a little more every month! Also, while the real estate market fluctuates, by and large it has consistently appreciated.
5. YOU’VE GOT A GOOD HANDLE ON YOUR DEBT
If you are consistently paying off your credit card in full and steadily chipping away at those car payments, you rock! Mortgage companies consider the big picture when determining how much you qualify for and the more control you have over your debt, the better.
6. YOU WANT TO PLAN FOR RETIREMENT
If you’re anything like us, you love what you do, but you also have big plans for retirement. It’s quite possible that by the time you retire your house will be paid off in FULL. Just think of all the possibilities! You can either stay in that home (mortgage free) or you can downsize and cash in on your investment. Either way, you’ve put yourself in a great position to travel, golf, or spoil your grandbabies. That sounds like a win to us.
7. STABILITY
Renting gives you flexibility to move around more often, but we all know moving every few years can be a PAIN! Even your friends are a little tired of the phone calls asking if you can borrow their truck for moving in exchange for a few beers, right? If you’re ready to put down some roots and stay in one place for a while (say, 5 years or more), home ownership might be perfect for you. Plus, why wouldn’t you want to stay in Anthem!
8. YOU FIND YOURSELF SAYING OR THINKING “WHEN I HAVE A PLACE OF MY OWN…” MORE AND MORE
Buying a house is as much an emotional decision as it is a financial decision and it’s a BIG decision at that. If the thought of owning your own home brings excitement (sprinkled with a little bit of worry), then your heart and mind are in the perfect place.
9. YOU’VE RECENTLY STARTED OR YOU’RE PLANNING TO START YOUR FAMILY SOON
Whether you’ve already got a few kids in tow or you’re just starting to think about what your family is going to look like, buying a home allows you to have an active say in what school district your kids attend and you can even make sure the backyard is perfectly laid out for that playground that will make you the most popular house on the block.
10. YOU’RE READY TO MAKE THAT PINTEREST BOARD A REALITY
Have you been pinning images of your dream kitchen, watching way too many home reno shows, and mapping out paint colors in your head for as long as you can remember? Yeah, us too! When you have a place of your own that ‘to-die-for’ laundry room can finally be YOURS! We know the one you’re thinking of.
I bet if you read this far at least a few of the points above hit home for you. If so, why don’t you give us a call. We’d love to have a no pressure discussion (seriously) about what home ownership really means to you.
Let us help you; make your WISE MOVE today!
