She has tips for single women looking to buy:
• Think about what you can afford. “I qualified for way more than what I actually purchased,” Ingram explains. “You may qualify for a million-dollar home but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can afford the mortgage and all the expenses.”
• Take your time. “My process was a little rushed,” she admits. “I was really anxious. I think I made the right decision but don’t rush even though everyone will want you to.”
• Be willing to walk away. Ingram got the best deal on a mortgage when she told the broker, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
• Do your homework. Ingram researched various financing options and enlisted friends and her mother, who has purchased several homes.
Looking back, Ingram admits buying a house on her own was scary. “It’s the biggest investment I’ve made to date,” she says. But there’s nothing like achieving a goal, and enjoying it on your own little bit of land.
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Comments
yes holding your own important when single. owning a home teaches many responsibilities and makes a single woman independent and shows her she can do it whether she gets married or not, not to mention good investment for her financial future. i never did own a home when single and that was a big mistake but when i was younger there were no options of owning a home as a single woman unless you had lots of money or knew someone. we have come along way too. the mortgage industry has to recognize us now and our ability to make a mortgage payment thank god! my younger sister did just that last yr after being married for yrs and my hat goes off to her!!!
This is a great article that will empower women to make informed decisions. Despite people telling me it was too risky, I bought a condo in Santa Monica when I was 25 years old. It's by far the best investment I've ever made. I think every woman can set herself up to be a homeowner if she takes the time and energy to research it.
This is an excellent article full of the same common sense decisions that I made when purchasing my own home as a single professional woman at 31. The best advice is to buy less than what you qualify for. When you are paying all of the utilities, water, and any extras, those add up quickly. Especially during the summer months (I live in a warm climate). If you are not sure how to fix things and keep a house maintained, there are a lot of resources on the internet or at your local hardware store. Or, with the extra money that you saved by having a cheaper mortgage, there is always a skilled tradesperson who will fix things for you!
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