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Most people are aware that rents are always rising, but many don't know that renting is currently more expensive than buying a home. That's right -- many renters can afford to purchase a home and don't even know it. Today, I want to offer a few tips to help you avoid getting trapped in the rental market.

There are many benefits to owning a home. Home ownership protects you from rising rents in today's economy. When you rent a home, you are paying for someone else's mortgage. If you look at the costs, locking in your mortgage rate is a fixed expense. When you rent, leases are almost guaranteed to rise.

It's also important to know your options. There are a lot of misconceptions out there. For example, you don't need 10% or 20% saved for a down payment on a home. You may have enough money for a down payment already, and your credit score may be high enough to buy a home as well.


There are many different loan programs out there depending on where you want to buy. The best thing to do is get in touch with your loan officer or real estate agent to review your options. If you're thinking about buying, contact them three months ahead. There are problems with many credit reports today that take time to clean up.

Remember, don't hold yourself back! If you have any questions about buying a home in today's market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you.

One final note: thank you all for your support in 2015! 2016 looks like it will be another great year for real estate although we will be in a seller's market.