Drive until you can afford it!

I am going to get on my soapbox for just a bit! So I apologize but I am passionate about this.... I believe that one of the best investments is real estate … Now it is not just because I am a Realtor. My own children understand this …. My youngest who is now 26 had her first property under contract at 18 and still owns it filling her piggy bank with equity!! My older child only purchased a home about a year and a half ago but has already realized a substantial equity position. Both paying considerably less monthly than their friends who are renting AND have great potential rental properties for the future when they choose to upgrade. So start putting dollars in YOUR piggy bank vs. YOUR LANDLORDS!

A few things you need to do in this market is change your way of thinking….it will be a bit painful but well worth it in the end! Understand you may not get to live in that favorite community near friends and family, you may have to choose a much smaller home or you may no longer have a 15 to 30-minute commute to work it may be an hour or more. Homes may come up in your price range in your favorite community but, can you AFFORD both financially and emotionally to go to battle with several other buyers over and over again to purchase one?

We are in a market that requires you to give and take. Unfortunately, right now you are going to have to GIVE a lot more to achieve homeownership. Such as square footage, neighborhood, communities and distance. You cannot afford to be sit on the sidelines and be picky…. Yes, you need a home that is safe and structurally sound but, understand no home is going to check all the boxes on your wish list!! This is going to be one of the largest purchases you have made so far in your journey through life BUT it is probably not going to be your forever home. I think there was a time when we could find a 95 to 99% home or even a home that fit the bill at 90%…. but now I think you need to look at does this home fulfill 75 to 85% (possibly less) of my wish list and then make your mark on it! I am sure a 75 to 85% home will be less to own than accepting the rent increases from your landlord?

The goal is to get into a home now and start earning equity to get you into the next home that may then fit a higher percentage of your wish list items and possibly back in your favorite area or near your work and family. It is time to get on the homeownership train before you are left at the station filling your landlord’s pockets verse filling yours with equity!! DRIVE UNTIL YOU CAN AFFORD IT!!! If you don’t someone else will!

Be open, be flexible, look outside your comfort zone and understand windshield time maybe in your future (thank goodness we are not paying $4 per gallon at the pump) but, you will be filling YOUR piggy bank with equity…. There are good homes and programs out there…. Rant over .... Thank you and happy spring snow day!! Now let’s find Your Berry Own Home …. Call/Text or email Heather 303-827-8659 – yourberryownhome@gmail.com

Now that you have read what I have to say.... check this article out!!  http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/renters-break-out-your-hankies-homeowners-will-build-some-serious-wealth/?cid=soc_20160323_59645986&adbid=10154116225667871&adbpl=fb&adbpr=35368227870