When major life changes start to happen, it’s easy to resist and want everything to stay the same. I mean, as much as change is ultimately better for our species, it’s hard wired into us to have things stay the same as they always have been.
Moving to a new place (and buying a home) is one of the scariest changes that anyone’s lifestyle could undergo. Considering the financial risk involved with both buying a home and getting a new job, it only makes sense that people wouldn’t want to be all gung-ho about home buying. Because of all this uncertainty, I think it’s important to note exactly when it’s a good time to think about buying a home and when you should hold off. For the most part, each item should be pretty obvious as to why you’d want a house, but there are times an apartment still works just fine and can save you money.
So, check ‘em out!
Buy a home when you’re pregnant.
This one is probably one of the most reasonable reasons to purchase a home. And while I’m fully aware that raising a child in an apartment can be a cost-effective way of handling bringing up a child, I’m still of the mind that owning your own place can be safer for you and your baby. Not to mention, you have much more space and privacy to yourself if you were to get your own home.
Think about buying a home if you’re getting married.
For whatever reason, this is probably the biggest reason the younger generation buys homes anymore. You can almost depend on it happening like clockwork: young couple gets married, they pack up all their shipping boxes full of belongings, and then they buy a home.
So if you’re marrying someone soon and don’t yet have a house, it could make sense to get one since the joint income will help with any expenses you may deem tougher to handle compared to being on your own. Also, married couples have most likely lived in an apartment together prior to marriage, so it’s the natural next step in the process. If you know that you live just fine together and are ready for your own place, it just makes sense.
Buy a home if you’re in the financial position to.
This one is probably the “smartest” on the list and can apply to the other two options. Buying a home ultimately boils down to moving forward when you’re financially ready. And if purchasing a home may never fit your agenda in life, then don’t do it. Just trust your gut on when you should be looking to buy a home, but make sure it’s for the right reasons and you’re in good financial standing while you’re searching around. There’s likely no worse feeling than moving into a place, looking at all your unpacked shipping boxes, and regretting what you just did if an apartment still makes more sense.
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