There are many considerations when buying a new or used home. By doing some simple research you can determine whether or not you should buy or rent a home.

Q: is this the right decision for you?
Q: Which is better, owning a home or renting a home?
Q: What steps can you take to make your move a more pleasant and trouble free experience?

If you are unsure about any of these questions then we here at The Houston Relocation Link are the ONE right choice for your home buying endeavor.

Renting vs. Ownership:

Owning your own home has always been the American dream. But for some individuals, renting a property can be a wise choice, both financially and personally. 
Which is the best choice  for you? Please consider the following questions:

1. Which "Plan", renting or owning offers lower monthly costs?
   In many locations rent is still affordable. In areas with large population numbers or a large amount of industry or technology  it can be higher than a comparable mortgage, especially when you consider that mortgage interest and property taxes are tax deductible and rent is not. If your potential monthly mortgage payments are lower than your monthly rent, it might be time to buy your own house and enjoy the benefits of ownership vs. renting a home.
2. Which offers more value to you, the consumer?
   A new or used  home is an investment one that can actually pay for itself over the course of many years. A rental property is an expense, a liability and offers the renter no value at the termination of the rental agreement. Home ownership allows you to build up equity over time, which can make buying a home a better value even though it might seem more expensive in the short-term.
3. Which offers more stability to you, the consumer?
   As a home renter, you’re subject not only to rising rents, maintenance costs and expiring leases, but also to the sale of your building. As an owner, your home belongs to you until you’re ready to move on, or to retire in and live for the rest of your life. Owning a home offers security and stability that renters only dream of.
4. Which "plan" renting or owning, allows you the consumer to benefit from mortgage interest?
   Many people are unaware that you can deduct mortgage interest from your income tax if you buy a home. If you rent, your landlord gets the deductions and benefits of ownership and uses your rent to make the mortgage payments. In effect you are buying your landlords property for him, instead of purchasing your own home.
5. Which allows you to deduct real estate tax?
   Many people are also unaware that you can deduct real estate taxes on your tax return when you own a home. If you rent, your landlord takes the tax deduction and the benefits of ownership, again in effect you are purchasing your landlords property and they are gaining ownership at your expense.
6. Which plan helps improve your credit?
   One of the many benefits of home ownership is a major indicator of financial responsibility and stability, which gives you the chance to build a strong credit history. Financial lenders are often more likely to grant credit to a home owner rather than a renter. Choosing to own rather than rent can benefit your financial situation more than most people realize.
7. Which helps you establish roots?
   Unlike home owners, renters often don’t establish roots in a community. More often than not renters will move from one property to another based on economic, employment and other reasons. The often do not stay in one place long enough to establish strong community ties.
8. Which helps you build a retirement nest egg?
   Homeowners can enjoy tax-free profits up to $500,000 from the sale of a primary residence that they have occupied for two of the last five years, if they are married and filling jointly. If an owner is single or married filing separately, he or she can enjoy tax-free profits up to $250,000. Taking advantage of tax breaks often is overlooked by many people. Make sure you discuss all of your concerns with your
   Real-Estate Agent. The Houston Relocation Link would like this opportunity to help you make all the right choices in your home buying endeavor. Please feel free to contact us at the number below if we can assist you further.

There is no doubt that buying a home is a big investment, more than likely the largest investment that you'll ever make. Keep in mind that over the course of many years it's a wise investment that will pay for itself many times over. Read on to see how.

Home ownership offers you Tax Advantages

• Mortgage interest is tax deductible.
• Real estate taxes are also tax deductible.
• Many areas will offer local tax benefits .
• If you sell your home and you've lived there primarily for two of the last five years, You then can enjoy tax free profits from that sake if you are married and filing jointly. If you are single, or married and filing separately, you can enjoy tax free profits up to $250,000.

Your Investment Benefits

• If you purchase your own home you will build equity over time, which you get to keep in cash when you sell your home.
• The profits gained from home investment often outperform many other investments.
• If you own your own home you can borrow money against it in most states, home equity can be a source of emergency funding, or improvements to your home and or property
• If you own your own land, then you get the benefit of "Land appreciation" that also adds to the value of your home.
• For many people, home ownership is the most important part of retirement planning.

Your Personal Satisfaction

• In your own home you gain more living space.
• In your own home you enjoy the satisfaction and pride of home ownership.
• Having the security and peace of mind of home ownership, for many people, is a sign of independence and achievement. Let us at the Houston Relocation Link help you on your way to the freedom and independence of Home Ownership!

 It’s Time To Get YOU Moving!

There is nothing worse than a poorly planned move, not only is it an inconvenience it can be a very costly and troublesome experience if not handled in the proper manner by experienced people.
An efficient, well planned,  well-managed move not only saves you time and money, it can also make the transition to your new home easier and more pleasant for your whole family. That’s why our Council of Residential Specialists offers these proven tips to help make your move a trouble-free experience from start to finish.

 The "Before You Move" Checklist

• When you hire the movers, make sure you retain a reputable reliable moving company as early as possible. Try and use someone that you can get "good references on". Be clear about your wants, needs and expectations, and make sure you understand the company’s policies before you begin the moving process.
  
• Make sure you take a room by room inventory of your home. Double check this list to make sure you have left nothing out. 
  This list will help you when it’s time to pack.
• Make sure you have organized all your belongings. Clean and sort all of your possessions and set aside unwanted items for a garage sale, your favorite charity and set the broken or no longer used items the garbage pickup if they aren't suitable for donation to a worthy cause.
•  Pre-Arrange for the shut-off or transfer of your phone and other utilities, and make sure you have taken steps to turn on these services at your new location.
• If you are moving a great distance make sure you contact your bank and transfer the contents of your safe deposit box to a bank closer to your home.
• Complete the change of address kit at your post office.
• Make sure you give your friends and relatives your new address and phone number.
• Make sure you obtain copies of all medical and dental records, school transcripts and birth certificates, before you move to ensure that you have everything you need in case of an un-foreseen emergency

 Some useful Packing Tips

• Be sure to clearly label contents on the outside of each box and indicate where it will go in your new home.
• Be sure to CLEARLY and PLAINLY mark  FRAGILE in large, legible letters on boxes that contain breakable and/or valuable items.
• Be sure to pack all breakables and liquids separate from any items that may be damaged in the event that one of these items should break or leak.
• Be sure to seal all medications and other containers tightly to prevent leaking and move them in leak-proof bags or containers to prevent damage to other items in the event of breakage or damage.
• Space is always a premium when moving to conserve space, fill drawers with light items such as shirts, underwear, blankets, pillowcases, etc.
• For security and added peace of mind make sure you transport your plants and pets personally, if possible. Make sure pets are kept in a well-ventilated cage.
• Items with great sentimental value and hard to replace valuable items such as jewelry, important documents or  valued artwork should also remain under your personal supervision and remain in your custody.

 What To Do When Moving Day Arrives

• For a safe and trouble free move be sure and get plenty of rest the day before you move. Fatigue can make the best move a unbearable experience for you and the mover. Take the night off the evening before the move and get some rest.
• As a matter of consideration and kindness Try and have food and beverages available for the movers at both ends of your journey. You will be pleasantly surprised how well and seamlessly the move goes when you take into consideration the movers comfort.
• When the movers arrive, show them which items you want loaded last, and which items they should not load.
• When you arrive at your new house, check the utilities and do as much cleaning as you can before moving furniture inside, this will save you from having to move things around again in order to get fully moved in. It will save time and add pleasure to your moving experience if you only have to move things once.
• After the movers have completely finished unloading your furniture and belongings you might be asked to sign an inventory list. At this time it is IMPORTANT to note any apparent damage before you sign and indicate in writing that you have not finished inspecting your possessions that have not been unpacked yet. This will offer you some recourse if you later discover that the contents of a box we damaged and not discovered at the time when the movers dropped the items off.
• Plan something relaxing and special for the family at the end of the day of the move. A nice dinner by the new fireplace or a quiet dinner at a local restaurant will make a pleasant end to a very important day. Let us at the Houston Relocation Link help you get moved in a safe and timely fashion. We are the Relocation Experts, it's our job.. our Honor to offer this service to you, the consumer.

We look forward to hearing from you....
Kindest Regards
The Houston Relocation Link
Located at http://www.houstonhomes.com