| The age old question is should you buy a home or rent | | | | family, etc. Georgia has that hometown feel, so many |
| a home? Let's face it, most people want the American | | | | people love to relocate to Georgia for that hometown |
| Dream of owning their own home. The white picket | | | | feeling. |
| fence, the big backyard and the neighborhood | | | | Many neighborhoods in Georgia also have a |
| cookouts pass through every brain at least once in | | | | Homeowner's Association that you may have to |
| awhile. But there are good reasons to buy, as well as | | | | answer to if your lawn gets overgrown or you want |
| good reasons to continue renting. Before rushing into | | | | to put up a fence. However, your landlord is your |
| purchasing a large investment such as a home, weigh | | | | ultimate authority in a rental situation and you most |
| your pros and cons. | | | | often have to get clearance to paint a room or have a |
| Renting: Most leases in Georgia will run for a one year | | | | pet without being assessed a fine. If you want |
| period. Some leases can automatically renew or at | | | | freedom, renting is not the way to go! |
| least have an option to renew. Many times, the landlord | | | | There are some pros that come along with renting |
| will increase the rental payment at the time of renewal. | | | | such as not having yard upkeep (unless you rent a |
| Sometimes you may even have to find a new place | | | | house), being able to move quickly if needed and not |
| to live. | | | | being in debt for a mortgage. However, most people |
| Remember that when you rent a home, you are not | | | | would agree that home ownership is a great way to |
| building EQUITY. Each month, you are paying down | | | | build wealth and long term security. As with everything |
| someone else's mortgage. When you buy a home, a | | | | in life, what works for one person may not work for |
| portion of every payment goes back to you in the | | | | another person. |
| form of equity in your home. It allows you to start | | | | You have to choose where you are in your life right |
| building wealth through owning real estate. Georgia real | | | | now. Maybe you like the freedom of not owning real |
| estate has historically been a great opportunity to build | | | | estate and being able to move whenever you like. But |
| wealth. | | | | maybe you also want the freedom to paint your living |
| Owning your own home also gives you stability. You | | | | room without permission. Renting vs. buying will always |
| can start building friendships in your neighborhood, get | | | | be a topic to be debated. |
| more involved in the community, have pets, begin a | | | | |