Things to think about before buying a home

If we talk about the big investments, one thing that people spend their whole life's hard-earned money is real estate. No matter whether you are extremely rich or a common man saving every penny to buy a home for his family, you can't afford to make an impulsive decision and turn your moment of joy into remorse by settling down for something you never wanted. The list of the options that any average home seeker can look for in the real estate market includes:

Condominiums

Condominiums are the individual flats located in a multi-story building. The condominium building generally has its own recreation centers, parks, shopping hubs and is governed by an association that determines the monthly fee and takes care of the maintenance and improvement of the building. The major drawback of living in a condominium is the lack of privacy and increased depreciation during a housing- market downturn.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure properties are known to be an inexpensive alternative for the people looking for a previously owned home that require minor repairs and modifications. A foreclosure property is also known as Real Estate Owned property and is often owned by the lender as the previous owner defaulted on paying back loan. Foreclosure properties are usually up to 65% below the market and are considered to be best deals on the market.

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What to know about renting versus buying a home

Here's where it makes sense to rent:

You have limited funds. If you don't have the money for a down payment and additional costs of owning a home, renting is the best option. Use rent-versus-buy calculators at Trulia or Bankrate.com to see what you can afford.

You are uncertain about your employment. If you are unsure about your job situation or living paycheck to paycheck, focus on conserving cash for future living expenses and building up your emergency fund, said Evelyn Zohlen, a certified financial planner and president of Inspired Financial in Huntington Beach, California.

More millennial are moving into the real estate market. About 65 percent of people ages 25 to 34 years old surveyed by Realtor.com in mid-June said they plan to buy in the next three months.

But buying is not always the best option. When deciding one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, keep these things in mind to see if you're better off buying or renting.

You have a short-term time horizon.

If you are on a work assignment that lasts two years or less, it makes more sense to rent rather than taking on the high transaction costs of purchasing a home. Same goes if you plan to move in the next couple of years or want to start a family in a few years. On a similar note, if you are going through a significant life transition, like divorce or loss of a spouse, renting is a better idea while you get a little better footing.