You can find out by asking yourself some questions:

• Do I have a steady source of income?
• Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years?
• Is my current income reliable?
• Do I have a good record of paying my bills?
• Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments?
• Do I have money saved for a down payment?
• Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you are probably ready to buy your own home.

The two really don't compare at all. The one advantage of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission.

Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity. And that's an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax breaks that assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities -- like insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep -- which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are worth it.

Once you have decided that you are ready to purchase a new home, Southern Homes is ready to help. We understand that this is perhaps the most important purchase of your life, so we want to make it as easy as possible for you. The best place to start is right here, the Southern Homes website. First, look over our current neighborhoods. Which community best fits your needs? Think about your daily routine and imagine yourself living in that area. Some helpful things to think about are school districts, access to shopping and highways, commute time to work, proximity to friends and family. Now look over the designs we offer. Your home should fit the way you live, with spaces and features that appeal to the whole family. How much living space do you need? How many bedrooms do you need? Which floor plan is most appealing to you? These are some basic questions to help you get started. Southern Homes provides a variety of options in each home, from different elevations to brick color and covered patios. You will have plenty of time to make these decisions later. Once you have completed this step, it is time to visit us. You can call or drop by one of the neighborhood sales offices anytime during regular business hours.

Selecting a real estate agent who is able to listen to your needs is extremely important. Since you already have a lot to think about, and our goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you, we have sales associates in each neighborhood who work full time to assist you. Because they only sell homes built by Southern Homes, they have an in depth knowledge of the differences between each community and how each home best suits a buyer’s specific needs. However, Southern Homes welcomes real estate agents from any agency. If you chose to use an agent from another agency be sure to select someone who makes you feel comfortable and can provide all the knowledge and services you need. Anyone may visit our sales office without an agent. However, if you decide to utilize the services of an outside agency, please have them accompany you to our sales office.

Our sales associates can provide you with information about the local schools for each neighborhood. Our website also has links and contact information for local school boards and school web pages. Simply click on the “neighborhood information” link for each Southern Homes neighborhood.

Contact the local Chamber of Commerce for promotional literature or talk to your Southern Homes sales associate about welcome kits, maps, and other information. You may also want to visit the local library. It can be an excellent source for information on local events and resources, and the librarians will probably be able to answer many of the questions you have.

Base prices for each home are listed under the specific neighborhood that you are interested in. Your Southern Homes sales associate can also provide you with a current base price list. Of course the total price will depend on the lot and options you select.

Property taxes for the first year will be minimal, since you are only assessed on the unimproved land. However, your taxes will increase for the second year once your new home is included in the assessment. You can contact your local tax assessor's office for more information.

Keep in mind that your mortgage interest and real estate taxes are deductible. Your Southern Homes sales associate can give you more details on other tax benefits and liabilities.

Although older homes may be in more established neighborhoods and have lower property tax rates, they tend to require more maintenance and repair. A home built by Southern Homes provides the latest in building technology such as structured wiring, engineered framing, and energy efficient systems.

When walking through homes, try to picture yourself living there. Below are some things to think about.

• Is there enough room for both the present and the future?
• Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
• Is the yard big enough?
• Do you like the floor plan?
• Will your furniture fit in the space? (Bring a tape measure.)
• Is there enough storage space?
• Imagine the house in good weather and bad, and in each season. Will you be happy with it year 'round?
• What options are available for each home?

Take your time and think carefully about each home you see. Ask your Southern Homes sales associate to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

Many of your questions should focus on the differences between the types of homes and options available. Also ask about the neighborhood, focusing on quality of life issues. You might want to ask what things require ongoing maintenance (e.g., paint, roof, HVAC, appliances, carpet)? However, keep in mind, that once you decide to purchase a home from Southern Homes, we will provide you with detailed information on caring for your new home. Be sure the sales associate’s answers are clear and complete. Ask questions until you understand all of the information they've given. Remember, our goal is to assist you in making this process as easy as possible. Creating a list of questions ahead of time will help you organize your thoughts and arrange all of the information you receive.

We understand that choosing a new home means making a lot of decisions. Sometimes the amount of choices and information presented to you can seem overwhelming. This is why we try to put as much information on our website as possible. It allows you to look at a home as many times as you want, from the convenience of your current residence. Your Southern Homes sales associate will also be able to provide you with written information, such as floor plans and available options. Don't hesitate to return for a second look and ask as many questions as you need.