First-time home buyers often wonder if they should purchase a home or wait with the hopes of a price decline. I will tell you, if you continue to wait; you may never be able to afford to get into the housing market. Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL home prices are currently moderate, but rent continues to climb. The best way to build wealth is to own your own home. Homeownership = home equity + generous tax deductions. As the property builds equity over time, you can then use those $$$ to sell the starter home and move into a bigger house.

With so many homes on the market, you may need to initially scale back expectations for your first starter-home. Instead of trying to buy a 2,000 square-foot home, you may want to consider shopping for a 1,500 square-foot home. Remember, the sooner you make the move from a renter to a homeowner, the quicker you will begin to create and build up YOUR families wealth - not your landlords.

Dana DeLuca
www.ColumbusHomeDreams.com
www.MyFtBenning.com