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Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): low enough income in a high priced place that I qualify for a big government incentive : a 60 000€ free credit I can start repaying no sooner than in a decade, so I would need a smaller bank loan, at currently low rates, |
Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): cons : I don't have enough to buy my dream house so it would be a 2/3 bedrooms flat |
Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): The flat would be new. |
Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): the monthly costs would be equal to renting. |
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 1): regardless of minor fluctations property pretty much always increases in value. |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): So you qualify for a zero interest loan thanks to your government? Cripes, don't tell Bernie Sanders here in the States. We already had a housing crisis due to banks being pressured to qualify people for loans for which they weren't qualified. |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): But how long as you going to stay there? Your duration in that place is a factor to consider. No hard and fast answer. Some people prefer renting and the hassle free lifestyle that provides. |
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 1): Probably right now, regardless of minor fluctations property pretty much always increases in value. You might not be able to afford what you want now but a start on the property ladder is a start, you can always sell and trade up when your circumstances improve. If the costs are the same as renting you would be mad not to buy. |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): We already had a housing crisis due to banks being pressured to qualify people for loans for which they weren't qualified. |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): And to think I was in my late 30s before I could buy my first house. |
Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): so it would be a 2/3 bedrooms flat |
Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): |
Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 14): One caution - owning a home always adds extra expenses beyond the mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities costs. Even a new home is going to require some maintenance costs. |
Quoting Aesma (Reply 5): Maybe I should have mentioned area instead, that would be about 60m²/650ft². Nothing wrong with it size wise, it's just that I'd rather not have people living above me, under me, left and right, for their sake, as I like watching movies in the middle of the night. |
Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 14): Buying a first home is a start of a process to eventually reach your dream home. Some folks never get there, but a lot do. As long as you plan to be in the area for the next three or four years, buy. |
Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 14): One caution - owning a home always adds extra expenses beyond the mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities costs. Even a new home is going to require some maintenance costs. |
Quoting Aesma (Reply 5): Maybe I should have mentioned area instead, that would be about 60m²/650ft². |
Quoting AM744 (Reply 9): Buy if you can pay without committing an unorderly portion of your income. Buy the space you need now. You are not tied to a given mortgage for the whole period. The property IS legally yours even if you carry a debt. You can sell and buy something bigger and better later on if you need to, want to and can afford it. |
Quoting flymia (Reply 18): How can 2-3 bedrooms fit in 650ft sq feet?? |
Quoting Aesma (Reply 19): Since the mortgage is tied to the place I'm still wondering what happens exactly if I sell. Ideally I'd want to transfer the mortgage but I'm not sure it's possible. |
Quoting Rara (Reply 13): I'd say go for it. Don't treat it like a choice for the rest of life, think of it as an investment. |
Quoting Aesma (Reply 5): |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): We already had a housing crisis due to banks being pressured to qualify people for loans for which they weren't qualified. |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): And to think I was in my late 30s before I could buy my first house. |
Quoting imisspiedmont (Reply 2): You make it sound as though there is something wrong with a two or three bedroom, single story house. |
Quoting slider (Reply 4): Trying to look past the crazy fantastical world you portray, if you can afford a house without being "house poor" (roughly defined as if your mortgage gets above 30% of your income) then go for it. |
Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 24): Many countries other than the US have the toilet in a separate space, and on top the toilet there is a small hand washing basin. Some cultures also consider putting the bathing function and the body waste removal function in the same space as unsanitary. |
Quoting imisspiedmont (Reply 22): Ya'll can fit two or three bedrooms in 650 square feet? I was thinking you were buying a house, not a closet. If you are single, never entertain, and it's a one bedroom, buy. If it really is several bedrooms, I would run as far away from the scenario you clarified as humanly possible. Those things never appreciate enough to cover costs. In this country they are called "Park Model" manufactured homes. I really thought you were thinking of a house with 1000-1200 square feet. |
Quoting Mortyman (Reply 11): Quoting Aesma (Thread starter): so it would be a 2/3 bedrooms flat You don't know how lucky you are ... |
Quoting Rara (Reply 13): I'd say go for it. Don't treat it like a choice for the rest of life, think of it as an investment. |
Quoting imisspiedmont (Reply 22): Ya'll can fit two or three bedrooms in 650 square feet? I was thinking you were buying a house, not a closet. If you are single, never entertain, and it's a one bedroom, buy. If it really is several bedrooms, I would run as far away from the scenario you clarified as humanly possible. Those things never appreciate enough to cover costs. In this country they are called "Park Model" manufactured homes. I really thought you were thinking of a house with 1000-1200 square feet. |
Quoting Aesma (Reply 27): Also I'd have to buy it right now and I'm not that ready ! |
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 29): You don't live in Europe, what you deam correct isn't even close to reality here. |
Quoting dfwjim1 (Reply 15): Personally I have about 5 months of salary in an emergency fund but that might be overkill on my part. |
Quoting Ken777 (Reply 23): One of the benefits of serving in the Navy. Bought our house on the GI bill in '71 and all I needed at closing was 3 months of payments for insurance and taxes. All that was left to but was light bulbs and toilet paper. And some paper to cover the windows until my better half could get drapes made. |
Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 32): Even in the US we can downsize. I gave up a 2,400 sq ft home with a two car garage and a 12,000 sq ft lot to move into a 350 sq ft travel trailer. Getting rid of over $2,400 a month in home ownership expenses gives us the freedom to travel this country when and where we wish. There are tens of thousands of older Americans (and some not so young) making such a transition / lifestyle change. |
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 29): If you don't buy now, just as night follows day, it will be more expensive when you are ready. |