· Accumulation of equity
Why keep throwing your money away on
rent? Why not build equity with that
money, instead? Renting, especially in
New England, can be expensive. Consider
that if you are paying $800 per month for
a one-bedroom apartment, you have
basically "thrown away" $9,600 annually.
What did you gain, other than the security
of temporary shelter? In two years, the
money you spend on rent could add up to
the down payment for a home that
belongs to you, not your landlord.

· Control of housing costs
You decide what to spend on your home,
and when to spend it. From repairs, to
improvements, to changes, everything is up
to you. Unlike renters, who are at the
mercy of their landlords, homeowners who
secure a fixed-rate loan can lock in their
monthly housing costs, and make prudent
investment plans knowing these expenses
will not increase substantially. And,
depending on the amount of your loan and
interest rate, some monthly mortgage
payments are lower than rent payments!

The waiting game is a losing game. Don't
put off buying a home thinking that prices
will come down. They aren't likely to. The
population continues to grow, but land on
which we can live does not. Prices will only
increase over the long run. NOW is the time
to invest in a piece of property that is yours
alone. Put your money to use for you - buy
your own home!