DecidingRenting vs. Buying: Questions to Ask Yourself
Honest questions about time, money and flexibility to help you weigh renting against buying.
The guides
Every guide, in the order you are likely to need it.
Six in-depth guides for renters thinking about buying a home. Read them in order, or jump straight to the stage you are in now.
Weigh the decision
Is buying right for you, and is now the time? Start here if you are still deciding.
Deciding
DecidingSigns You May Be Ready to Buy
The financial and personal signals that suggest you are ready, and the ones that say wait.
Get your finances ready
Savings and credit take time to build, and you can start on both from your current lease.
PreparingSaving for a Home While You Rent
Set a realistic savings target, find room in your budget and keep your home fund safe.
PreparingBuilding Credit as a Renter
Check your reports, fix errors and build the habits lenders look for, starting from your lease.
Run the numbers and make the move
Compare the real costs side by side, then plan the move from your apartment to your own front door.
Running the numbersComparing the True Monthly Cost of Renting and Owning
Line up rent against every real cost of owning, from taxes and insurance to repairs.
MovingPlanning Your Move From Apartment to Home
A week-by-week plan for leaving your lease and settling into a home you own.
Official sources
Public resources worth bookmarking
Government agencies and public organizations that are good starting points for your own research. MoveToOwn is not affiliated with any of them.
- Consumer Financial Protection BureauFederal agency that oversees consumer financial products and services, including mortgages.consumerfinance.gov (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentFederal department responsible for national housing programs, including approval of housing counseling agencies.hud.gov (opens in a new tab)
- AnnualCreditReport.comThe official source for the free credit reports you are entitled to under federal law.annualcreditreport.com (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Trade CommissionFederal agency that works to protect consumers from fraud, scams and deceptive business practices.consumer.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab)
- IdentityTheft.govThe Federal Trade Commission's site for reporting identity theft.identitytheft.gov (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Deposit Insurance CorporationIndependent federal agency that insures deposits at member banks.fdic.gov (opens in a new tab)
- National Association of Insurance CommissionersThe standard-setting organization of U.S. state insurance regulators.content.naic.org (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Department of EnergyFederal department responsible for national energy policy, including energy efficiency.energy.gov (opens in a new tab)
- USAGovThe official web portal of the U.S. government.usa.gov (opens in a new tab)