On the house-buying front, I'd do a couple of things. First, I'd talk with my folks or other parental figure about it. You'd mentioned you'd talked to your dad once? is he someone you can talk over things like renting vs. buying and these calculators, and mortgages and financing etc with? Don't think for a moment that you're ever "too old" to ask your parents for advice if they're people who can give it. If you don't trust your dad's head for money, what about someone at work? Do your benefits include any kind of service like that, financial counselors or legal advice or the like?
What about people you work with? Any of them who might be able to help you at least understand the variables on the calculators? (What kinds of variables are you talking about? I can try to help if you want.)
And find a reputable Buyer's Agent or Buyer's Agency. Not a dual agent, and not just a real estate agent, but a real estate agent who only helps home buyers buy homes. This person will work for you to help you through the whole home buying process. They'll help you with lawyers, inspectors, loan officers, all that stuff. Buying a home is only ridiculously easy if you have one of these people on your side, or if you've already done it a few times. And engaging a Buyer's Agent doesn't obligate you to buy a home, and to the best of my knowledge doesn't obligate you to pay them a thing if you don't. Check the terms of whomever you talk to, but at the buyer's agency I was an office chick for, they didn't get a cent if the buyer didn't buy.
If you don't have someone you can talk with about financing issues, then when you find your buyer's agent, talk with her about it and see what advice she can give you, or let her refer you to someone good. Maybe several someones, to get a few opinions.
no subject
On the house-buying front, I'd do a couple of things. First, I'd talk with my folks or other parental figure about it. You'd mentioned you'd talked to your dad once? is he someone you can talk over things like renting vs. buying and these calculators, and mortgages and financing etc with? Don't think for a moment that you're ever "too old" to ask your parents for advice if they're people who can give it. If you don't trust your dad's head for money, what about someone at work? Do your benefits include any kind of service like that, financial counselors or legal advice or the like?
What about people you work with? Any of them who might be able to help you at least understand the variables on the calculators? (What kinds of variables are you talking about? I can try to help if you want.)
And find a reputable Buyer's Agent or Buyer's Agency. Not a dual agent, and not just a real estate agent, but a real estate agent who only helps home buyers buy homes. This person will work for you to help you through the whole home buying process. They'll help you with lawyers, inspectors, loan officers, all that stuff. Buying a home is only ridiculously easy if you have one of these people on your side, or if you've already done it a few times. And engaging a Buyer's Agent doesn't obligate you to buy a home, and to the best of my knowledge doesn't obligate you to pay them a thing if you don't. Check the terms of whomever you talk to, but at the buyer's agency I was an office chick for, they didn't get a cent if the buyer didn't buy.
If you don't have someone you can talk with about financing issues, then when you find your buyer's agent, talk with her about it and see what advice she can give you, or let her refer you to someone good. Maybe several someones, to get a few opinions.
*hugs more and more*