It’s been a long-held belief that it is more financially wise to purchase a home rather than to rent, if you can afford it. But the last 24 months have turned those beliefs upside down and folks are finding an uncommon real estate market that is difficult to understand.

While the super-low interest rates and plummeting housing prices seem to make a great case for buying a home, more and more consumers are looking to rent or rent-to-buy opportunities. However, making the right choice can be difficult.

So, generally speaking, when does it make sense to rent, and when to buy? I find that there are five basic factors to help you decide:

1. Credit Score. If you have a less than perfect credit score, it’s now nearly impossible to get a mortgage loan. In a rent-to-own scenario, renting can give those looking to build their credit history some time to do so while building equity. However, if you are fortunate to have a high credit score, now might be the ideal time to obtain a loan at interest rates that are lower than they have been in fifty years.

2. Cash Flow Needs. It is especially important in the present economic environment to make sure you maintain enough cash to satisfy your current cash needs, and many folks are finding it difficult to come up with the cash needed for a down payment to purchase a home. These folks are finding that monthly rent are typically lower than a monthly mortgage payment, which allows them to preserve their good credit and meet other monthly expenses more easily.

3. Unemployment Concern. I recently read an article by Forbes.com Real Estate columnist Matt Woolsey, in which he said “Given the state of the job market right now, the anchor of full ownership is a heavy one.” I find this to be so true with many of my clients, who are worried they might lose their job.  If this is a concern for you, not having to worry about having trouble making your mortgage payments and potential credit damage and foreclosure is a big pro for the rent or rent-to-buy scenario.

4. The Flee Factor. If you’ve recently relocated, or want to or need to move, locking into homeownership isn’t always ideal. By renting, you are able to explore all of the area options before selecting the neighborhood you want to set down roots in, rather than a quick purchase and possibility of needing to sell before prices have increased enough to avoid a loss on the transaction.

5. Market Volatility. Even in markets like Denver, which was recently named the No. 1 city on the verge of recovery from the real estate slump by Barbara Corcoran on NBC’s “Today” show, data is mixed on when the housing market will actually “recover.For many, renting is an attractive option while they wait to see what the market does.

There are certainly cases for either option and the key is to educate yourself and make the best decision based on your own specific circumstances. A qualified real estate professional will help find the answers.They may point out some new and unusual options that are available and that may be exactly right for your situation.

   DenverRentAHome.com can help those in the Denver, Colorado and surrounding areas find those solutions with over 75 years of combined expertise in the residential rental and property management fields.  Visit today to find out how DenverRentaHome.com can help you find or fill your home today. 

Oak Park, CA homes are located in a great community located in southeastern Ventura County of about 16,000 residents. Oak Park is approximately 4 square miles, and fully half of that consists of open space and beautiful parks. The climate is what locals call California Mediterranean with moderately warm dry summers, and cool, moderately rainy winters.

The area has very beautiful scenery with clear views of the rolling hills. The large amount of open space is only one of the reasons making Oak Park a great place to move your family. Other Oak Park benefits are:

• Only a 20 minute drive to Malibu and the beach
• Great shopping
• Great dining
• Great entertainment
• Easy access to downtown Los Angeles
• Award winning Oak Park Unified School District

Oak Park History

The area that we now know as Oak Park was originally the Jordan ranch, owned by Jim and Marion Jordan. The land was used to raise cattle at first, but when land values increased significantly, it became much more profitable to use the land for real estate development. Real estate developers Mark and Louis Boyar eventually purchased the land.

The first building phase of Oak Park homes was in the late 60′s, and was located at Birchwood, Kanan, Oakleaf, Pinewood, Satinwood, and Tamarind streets. These early homes sold for just $23,000 – but Oak Park quickly attracted buyers from many other Southern California areas, appreciating home prices over time. The Chambord Homes development was the last construction phase, and homes in that neighborhood are now priced at over $1 million!

Oak Park Activities

Oak Park has a total of seven parks:

• Mae Boyar Park
• Oak Canyon Community Park
• Deerhill Park
• Valley View Park
• Indian Springs Park
• Chapparal Park
• Eagle View Park

These parks are within easy walking distance of Oak Park homes and neighborhoods, with activities such as baseball fields, tennis, and even archery. Medea Creek also has numerous hiking and biking trails in a beatiful natural setting, and they are well-maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Parks District.

Oak Park Schools

When Oak Park was established, elementary school children went to Brookside Elementary School, while junior and senior high school kids went to Simi Valley. After 1970, several requests to join Las Virgenes School District (including Agoura and Calabasas) were denied. In the late 70′s, however, Oak Park Unified School District was finally voted upon and approved. Now Oak Park has one preschool, three elementary schools (k-5), one middle school (6-8), a high school, an alternative high school, and even a highly acclaimed home school program.

Oak Park Real Estate

Oak Park homes are a great investment in your family and your family’s future. Oak Park real estate is a sound investment because the great quality of life it offers will always be in demand in Southern California.

Retiring in Costa Rica is an option that you will definitely want to consider if you are ready for a change in your lifestyle, if you want to live a more laid-back lifestyle in your retirement years.Costa Rica, is a country of over just 4 million people, (nestled between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south) is a decision that thousands have already taken. Costa Rica has numerous amenities for the retiree that are hard to match.
Costa Rica almost has it all; year-round topical climate, modern and developed cities, beautiful pristine beaches both in the Caribbean and the Pacific coastlines, lush rain forests and beautiful valleys and mountains.
According to the U.S. State Department, there are more than 20,000 Americans living in this country and many of them are enjoying the Costa Rica retirement. The reasons for this are very clear, Costa Rica has one of the highest standards of living in Central America and even in Latin America itself, the economy caters to visitors, there is a wide variety of entertainment such as galleries, theaters and restaurants that offer fine dining in almost any cuisine in the world.
Retirering in Costa Rica is attractive because of its excellent, low cost medical services. There is also a great telecommunications system adding up to the other amenities that you will need.
Many retirees actually choose the Central Valley instead of living it up at the beach. This is because many retireree live within minutes of the capital city of San Jose and the international Airport in Alajuela and also to modern facilities This is because international retirees in the Central Valley live to be within minutes of the capital city of San Jose and the international Airport in Alajuela and also to modern facilities, medical centers, shopping and many other amenities This is because Costa Rica retirement in the Central Valley is home to retirees that live within minutes of the capital city of San Jose.
The weather is also an important factor with year-round spring like weather which averages 72°F. Many spend their retirement years at the beach in Guanacaste and Puntarenas.
Many options to choose whether it be residency status, to having your income being transferred to Costa Rican accounts, the purchasing a home or renting one and more, but Costa Rica retirement is definitely want to consider when exploring retiring offshore.