Chapter 12
Seeking Shelter and Appreciation in Real Estate
IN THIS CHAPTER
Putting a roof over your head and containing your housing costs
Analyzing housing as an investment
Getting started in real estate investing beyond your home
Thinking of a home in which you live as an investment may seem like a poor idea to some folks. In many parts of the country, home prices suffered in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and, of course, that wasn’t the first time that home prices suffered a notable decline.
Although homes may require plenty of financial feeding, over the course of your adult years, owning rather than renting a home can potentially make and save you money. The pile of mortgage debt seems daunting in the years just after your purchase, but someday your home may be among your biggest assets.
Like stocks, real estate does well over the long term but doesn’t go continuously higher. Astute investors take advantage of down periods; they consider these periods to be times to buy at lower prices, just as many do when their favorite retailers are having a sale.
Comparing Owning a Home to Renting
As financial decisions go, deciding whether and when to buy a home is pretty challenging. ...
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