4 Freedoms of Home-Ownership

You’ve heard many reasons to become a homeowner from friends, family, and financial advisors. When you own your own home you are building equity rather than throwing away money on rent. You could also be eligible for tax write-offs.

Many people are still concerned about committing to owning their first home. What they might not realize is that homeownership offers many freedoms of its own. Here are 4 of our favorites.

When you are ready to get started on the path to homeownership, our experienced Lyons Loan Officers are here to help guide you.

1.The Freedom To Adopt 4-Legged Friends

When you are apartment hunting with your pet, you realize not every apartment allows pets. If they do, there are often size limitations. Many places that do allow pets often need extra deposits and fees. When you own your own house, your home can be open to your furry friends. Kitten? Puppy? Bunny? The possibilities are endless.

2. The Freedom to DIY & Express Yourself

You already know you need approval from your landlord before making changes to your home if you’re a renter. Even if your request gets approved, do you want to invest money and time into a place you don’t own? Own your home and customize kitchen hardware, add on a deck, replace the flooring, or whatever your heart desires. That money and work go straight into your property. Paint your bedroom Tarnatino Red or Violet Indulgence (both real paint colors, by the way) without fear of having it paint it back to white when your lease it up. You could finally make all your Pinterest board and home design dreams come true.

3. The Freedom to Host your Friends

According to a recent study, the size of studio apartments has shrunk by 18% since 2006, to an average of about 500 square feet. This trend is continuing. Having your own home usually means that you get more space for less money over time. Having more square footage means you can host more dinner parties, baby showers, football drafts, or book clubs. After all, it’s friends and family who make your house a home.

4. The Freedom to be Green

Have more control over your energy footprint. Choose energy-efficient bulbs, appliances, windows, or even solar power. If you are lucky to have a yard you can start growing your own food!

Family in the backyard

Learn more about becoming a homeowner. Our Lyons loan officers can help you get started.

FAQ

Your mortgage payment typically consists of the following components, often referred to as PITI:

  • Principal: This is the portion of your payment that goes towards reducing the original loan amount.
  • Interest: This is the cost of borrowing money, calculated as a percentage of the remaining loan balance.
  • Taxes: Property taxes that are paid to your local government. These are often collected by your lender and held in an escrow account.
  • Insurance: Homeowners insurance, which protects your property from various risks, such as fire or theft. This is also often included in your escrow account.

 

Choosing the right mortgage depends on your financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance. Fixed-rate mortgages offer consistent payments over time, making budgeting easier. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) might start with lower rates but can adjust over time. To determine the best fit, consider your long-term plans, how long you intend to stay in the home, and your comfort level with potential rate changes.

 

A fixed-rate loan maintains the same interest rate and monthly payment throughout the life of the loan. This offers stability but might have a higher initial rate. An adjustable-rate loan starts with a fixed rate for a set period, then adjusts periodically based on an index. Initial rates are often lower, but future adjustments can lead to rate increases.

 

Start your mortgage application process online now!

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