Parties cooperate in court
Midway transformer fire
Woman not guilty after rant
Premier stands by pick
Canada's most-wanted list
Sask. will still get rebates
Santos ends comeback bid
Douglas C-54 plane crashes
Trump's 'eyes and ears'
Phish fans enter the Sphere
CN Rail profits fall 
Tesla's Q1 income tumbles
Iginla off to Europe
Rockets ink prospect
Leafs even series
Alleged Tupac killer in court
Lawsuit accuses Megan
Bam Margera’s tour axed
Should You Buy a Home or Keep on Renting?
Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you’ll ever make, so prepare yourself to make a knowledgeable decision.
Although buying a home almost always seems like a great idea, it is important to understand what home ownership involves.
Of course, being a homeowner is something to be proud of but it also means having to invest money, time and energy and take on added responsibilities. So, before you decide to buy a home, make sure you’re ready.
Here are some things to consider:
- Financial Security - If housing prices rise, your home can provide you with some financial security due to capital appreciation.
- Stability - Having a place of your own.
- Financial Stress - Coming up with the down payment, meeting regular mortgage payments and other ongoing costs will tie up a lot of your cash, and can put considerable stress on your finances.
- Maintenance - Keeping your home in good shape requires time and money.
- Responsibility - You alone are responsible for payments, repairs and maintenance.
- Flexibility - You can decorate or renovate your home to meet your own family’s personal tastes and needs.
Now that you have an idea of what to expect, take out a notepad and list the advantages and disadvantages of renting or buying a home.
This list will help you weigh in the pros and cons of renting and buying and help you determine if home ownership is right for you.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
