How do you know if you're ready to buy a home?

I acquired the unofficial rank of "Petty Officer Captain" when I bought my first home, I was attached to the Marine Barracks at NSB Bangor. Of the 15 homes on the cul-de-sac 9 were owned by Navy Petty Officers. My father had a very strong ethic about saving and not going into debt. I started a saving for my first house when I was 14. But My down payment was 80% of the price of the house (it was the proverbially WORST house in a good neighborhood). My wife got a good job and and I spent 8 hours of every day off making repairs and improvements. When we left three years later, the market was a sellers market. We cleared the house and bought our next house without a mortgage. We haven't had a single loan since.

Sir, I don't understand your comment if you also have some sort of Home Shield Protection. But, I would add this specifically if one is looking at moving to Texas. Before I purchased a home I would look at the previous 5-10 years of appraisals on the house/land you are looking to purchase. Why? Texas may boast about no state income tax but they tax everything else and property taxes should be a variable you look at when buying a home. v/r

Col Joseph Lenertz What everyone should do is instead of being pre approved for as much as possible, they should go through their budget, decide how much they feel comfortable spending for a monthly payment and then buy a house in the price range that would give them that payment.

LTC (Join to see) - In addition to the cost of home shield protection, there are co-pays and deductibles to consider. But the advice isn't only due to the possibility of things breaking. Lenders are once again relaxing debt criteria and some people think that whatever the bank says they qualify for, they should purchase the maximum they qualify for. This is a serious risk, and it contributes to foreclosure rates and was the largest factor to the 2008 housing crisis.

SPC (Join to see) okay, this is really DUMB! why spend $1000 or $1500 or $2000 a month in RENT?!?! It's a waste of money...it's like taking your money and burning it and then flushing anything that's left down the toilet.

1000, 1500 is normal considering where you live at? Washington state and places like California you will be 1200 for a one bedroom. Just a finding a 2 bedroom for under 900 is a good deal.

When I was living in Washington state I could barely find anything for less then 1000.

SSgt Mark Mynhier Or you can seek out people like myself who is a Veteran and has been a Mortgage loan officer for more than 20 years and specializes in VA loans.