In tough economic times it’s easier to just rent an apartment or home. In the end, you will probably be paying much more in rent than you would in a mortgage payment.

One the prime examples of where a mortgage is almost always cheaper than rent, is when you live in a large city. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Dallas are a few of the major cities where you can buy a house for cheaper than you can rent. In these cities it isn’t uncommon for rent costs to rise to well over $1,000! That’s quite a chunk of change for struggling families.

Though, all hope isn’t lost. If you have a good credit score and the ability to get a cheap loan, then purchasing real estate is the easiest thing in the world. It takes a down payment of about 20% or more, but it’s well worth it in the end. This down payment will automatically take a big chunk out of what you owe, and it truly makes a difference. Your interest rates will also be considerably lower than if you had a lower down payment.

Of course, once you are moved in you can opt to rent out a room or two. A good roommate is the way to lower mortgage payments. If your mortgage is a bit too high for your liking, you can offset that by renting a room. Remember, the home is in your name, so you don’t have a landlord that will tell you “NO!”

You also have the option to live how you choose to live. In many homes you must pay a deposit for most pets, or you can’t have any at all. This tacks on a huge sum each year that goes to nothing. With your own home you can have 3 cats and a dog if you like, all without the extra payments. It may seem silly now, but once you own your own property you will be grateful for that.

The housing market is unbelievably saturated with low priced homes. All around the country cities are experience dips in housing costs, and some desperate sellers are reducing prices even more. Look in the right places and you are likely to find an unbelievable deal. Buy now and you may also be eligible for a nifty $8,000 tax credit that allows you to reduce your payments or spend it how you please.

In Conclusion

New homes are cheaper than ever before. If you want to save money by owning instead of renting, now is certainly the time to hop on the real estate band wagon. You can have the home of your dreams in no time!

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