What Babies and Homes Have in Common

If you’re thinking about buying a home, think again.

Before you buy the biggest ticket item in your life, know what you’re getting yourself into.

If you look around you see and hear about people who have “unplanned” babies and find themselves bogged down with everything like hospital bills (even with health insurance it’ll still costs $2k or more), waking up in the middle of the night to breast feed, daycare, and babysitting.  If you haven’t seen Marlee and Me, check out the life of Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson after they have their first kid.

Home ownership is very much the same.  In the beginning you get excited.  Couples that are “working on it” tell you it’s the best part.  In some ways it is, it’s definitely the easiest part.  It’s fun and exciting to look for a home – many of my clients tell me they love that part the most.  The thrill of walking through a new home, exploring the different rooms and what you could do with all the space.

It’s only after you close on the home that you find all the “little” issues that aren’t so little anymore.  Like that little mortgage of $2200.  Or that little utility bill for heating all 2000sf that you don’t use.   The freedom you used to have with going out for a date every Friday disappears.

What Next?

The best way to prepare yourself for home ownership is to ask “what next?”  It’s a great question that really helps you get to the essence of things.  After you buy this home, what next?  After you move in and you stop looking for homes, what next?  After you get all the accent walls to match and furniture from Crate and Barrel, what next?

After asking this question many times, you’ll find you want much, but need little.  Does upgrading from 1800sf to 2500sf really change your life all that much?  Is it worth it to stress over paying the mortgage every month or stress over the fear of losing your job?  Are you ready to own a home?  If you want to buy a home and your answer the to above questions is yes, email me.

The average American has 2.4 kids.  Next time you want to have 8 kids, ask yourself, what next?

For those who like big families, more power to you.  I’m all for that, as long as you aware and prepared for what comes with it.