So your a first time home buyer and you are out looking. Great time to do it! The deals on homes at the moment and the programs available for first time buyers, make it a no brainer that now is the time to buy your first home. You are hopefully seeking advice from those around you, your family and friends, coworkers, maybe even a REALTOR or two.
I'd like to offer up a few thoughts also. Let's look at what we know - we know that:
- oil is going to get more expensive
- jobs are scarce
- water is a serious concern for homeowners in Florida
- during a hurricane, you will need shelter
- after a hurricane you will need food, water, and power
So, when you are out looking at those potential new homes, keep these things in mind. Maybe consider downsizing the home you had in mind to allow for a larger yard to use as a garden. Maybe look for homes that have some sort of alternative energy systems in place, solar panels, water tanks, added insulation, energy star appliances, passive solar water heaters, etc. A smaller home would also mean a lower payment, which will create less stress over the long haul.
Maybe, one of the the we can learn from the current state of the world, is that for many many years we have lived a disposable life and the time has come to change that mindset. Perhaps, we should rethink rating our "success" by the size of the home we live in, or the height of the SUV we drive.
Maybe it's time to redefine a "successful" life as one that allows us more time with our families, less time working for the money to buy things we will only throw away, and one that gives us a sense of contentedness and personal accomplishment.
