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Buying a home offers people more freedom and options than renting. It is an investment in your future. You can improve your credit score with regular monthly payments. There are tax benefits to home ownership, including federal tax deductions. You can enjoy freedom in making your own decisions about your home, how to decorate, changes and additions - all to suit your own taste.  And, there is no denying that investing in something that you can improve and resell, and possibly make money on, is an advantage to paying rent.  

A great many factors come into play here. The size of the house, location, extra features, current market value and trends, comparables in the neighborhood and the seller are variables that affect the cost.

You can expect to have to pay a down payment before you even go into negotiations and settling on a price. Once everything has been settled, you’ll need to pay the purchase price of the home, money for various fees associated with purchasing the home and money to pay the closing costs unless the seller has agreed to cover the closing costs.

Some unexpected costs people often forget ... plan to allow money for home furnishings, any renovations you plan to do immediately, the cost of hooking up utilities and the cost of actually moving your belongings into the home.  
Having trouble selling your home?  Nationwide research shows that these five things affect your home's sale the most.  

Price - A property’s value is determined by today’s market, not by yesterday’s value.
Condition - Buyers are looking for excellent home conditions. The paint inside and out should be near perfect. Everything should be kept straight and orderly. In fact, a buyer should be able to move into her house without doing anything, including cleaning the carpet.
Location - Location is key.  Undesirable schools, a higher crime rate, undesirable neighbors, a busy road, or pollution can mark a bad location and affect a sale.
Listing Agent - Check out the reputation of your listing agent before you start a relationship. Sometimes an agent is difficult to deal with, and other agents avoid showing their homes.
Marketing Plan - Questions you might ask your agent...Have you agreed to an aggressive marketing plan and set up a timeline and goals for when you want that property to sell?  Is your house on a lock box system that might not be as easily shown? Is your house on the A or B list? 
It's a time saver for you.  A real estate agent will be versed in the local housing market and will be able to show you a variety of houses in your desired area that are within your price range, saving you time and money in the search process. They will also be able to give you an honest assessment of your home or the property you are wanting to purchase, and can help you in budgeting decisions. And perhaps most importantly, your agent is a team member, on your side, to help you negotiate the best possible price. They help you understand the closing process, and costs associated with it. Purchasing or selling property is a complicated process...it is always good to have someone who is trained and familiar with real estate industry helping you navigate through the necessary steps.
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