Rights and Responsibilities of Renting or Buying a Home

Advantages of Renting  Mobility  Convenience  Social Life  Lower Living Expenses

Disadvantages of Renting  Noise  Lack of Privacy  Small Quarters  Lack of Storage Area  Lack of Parking

Advantages of Home Ownership  Equity Increases  Tax Savings  Quality-of life Advantages

Cost and Responsibilities of Home Ownership  Down Payment  Mortgage  Closing  Property Taxes  Insurance  Utilities  Maintenance and Repairs

Rental Agreement  Laws  Lease and Month-to-Month Agreements  Rental Inventory

Landlord/Tenant Responsibilities  Landlord Obligations  Tenant Obligations

Finding and Selecting a Home  Factors to consider  Working with a Real Estate Agent  Making an Offer

Obtaining Financing  Down Payment Sources  Qualifying for a Mortgage  Types of Mortgages

Taking Title to Property  After you and the seller have reached an agreement, and you have arranged your financing, the next step is the closing. At this meeting, title to the property is transferred to you.  Before you take ownership, you will want to make sure that the title is clear, meaning that it is free of any liens. You should thus order a title search.