I’ve read all sorts of stuff about this issue and still can’t quite decide where I stand. Every part of me says that buying a house is the best plan of action. But the reality of life right now is that I just don’t have the energy for looking for a house or buying one. I’ve always been a person who feels that if something needs done, you just do whatever needs done to make it happen. So, in those terms, even though my stress tolerance is currently taxed beyond all limits, I should still be trying to buy a house. However, I think my self preservation instinct is kicking in and trying to convince me to just rent to survive.
House Buying PROS:
We’d have a house.
It’d be a positive step financially in the long and short tun.
We wouldn’t need to move again in a year (I’m so sick of moving).
Tax Incentives
Housing prices will just continue to rise (but is this true?)
Interest rates will continue to rise (see above)
House Buying CONS:
The stress of having to do it with everything else that is going on.
We’d end up in a house that is probably not even close to what we want.
Current obligations may actually reduce the attention investment needed to make a sound purchase.
It would put a major strain on our savings.
A long commute would really tax the vehicles and require immediate replacement of at least one and perhaps all three.
Renting PROS:
We could really kick some debt butt.
We could increase savings to establish emergency fund.
We could then strategically plan for down payment savings.
We could keep Alex in the same school another year.
Chris would maintain a short commute (good for 2 of the vehicles).
No time needed for housing upkeep (more time for other things?).
Fixed housing costs (no sudden repaid bills).
Increased savings and dual income would allow us to afford a home closer to what we want.
Renting CONS:
Apartment, ick.
Limited space.
High rent (to stay in same county).
People as neighbors, igh.
Must rent additional storage.