Well i went to apt. Its all i could afford. I hope when lease is up to go to condo then buy something. I pretty much was left starting over in our situation. So if you can afford to buy a house that would be ideal but just depends on your situation.

Remember, when you buy, you are responsible for repairs, maintenance, etc. Unless you have a managed property, there are dues and other maintenance expense as well.

If your situation is of an immediate need, I would think it may be best to rent for now, until you know what you want and where. But thats me.

I am in a rental after the divorce was final,
I left the marital home. I moved thirteen
Miles away so i do pass him or see him
Or his family.

I have had no contact for 10 months its
The way to go if you can or limited contact
with Children.

I personlly won't buy because i dont know
Where i will end up. Do whats in yours and
Your children best interest. I was not very
Sane or rational during seperation and divorce
Most of my choices on purchases were not well
Thought out.

My lawyer was a great help in so many areas.
Her suggestion for the first year was get something
Decent and i did i am very thankful i did. Many
Rentals are dumps and i still have ongoing depression.
I still smile when i enter my apartment that has odds and
Ends but i have no children.

((((( hugs ))))

I asked a lawyer about something similar a while back, and she advised not to purchase another home during a dissolution or divorce because it would still be considered marital property and require the spouse to sign off at closing (even if the spouse is not on the mortgage). She also said lenders get nervous if they sense a split is about to happen because the borrower does not know the exact support figures yet.

I d pick something small and go from there .

Banks do not like the word divorce,
They run like the dickens. They know
Most people will be at 1/2 of what they
had before. Its tricky times to get money.

Get advise from your lawyer they are
Worth their weight in gold if any good
Or if your spouse is going to be nasty
During the proceedings.

((((( hugs)))))

Hi, I am trying to keep our small house, while he can have or sell the new one he's been building. My reasons are familiarity for the kids (and me), a yard for the kids and pets, and the fact that I've done the condo thing already - too close quarters.

One thing to consider if you buy a house is the huge expense to replace items he might take. Things for a house likely include lawn mower, lawn tractor, rakes, shovels, snow shovels, garbage cans, tree care items (clippers, saws), hoses, ALL that stuff in your garage or shed. Tools, extension cords, deck/patio furniture,, ladders - there's a lot to consider. It's a lot of work taking care of a yard - I've been doing 99% of it since we bought a house 18 years ago. Do you have the time and stamina to handle a yard and the outside of a house? Well pump, septic if you're in the sticks. Siding, roof, window repairs?

Condos and/or townhouses can be a great alternative. There is the rent to buy option some sellers offer. It all depends on what you are willing and able to handle.

I do wonder why you're already thinking ahead to the possibility of remarriage. I suggest throwing that thought out of your head. Don't rush into another relationship. If you do want to end this one, do it right, grieve, go through the process. Don't make decisions based upon some non-existent relationship you may or may not have down the road. Do what's presently right for your kids, first and foremost.

Good luck to you. It's great that you're planning, just be careful he doesn't catch wind of anything.

And yes, GravingGirl is correct about the marital property. Look but don't spend any money till lawyers are involved and things are settled financially.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Maybe I will shy away from the house because of all the additional expenses and maintenance issues like Chitown and Jojo said. Ugh, I just hate moving and I really do want stability for the kids' sake. I feel like I'm uprooting them enough by leaving the marriage, even if it is awful and the tension in the house is thick enough to cut with a knife. If I had family nearby I would stay with them, but they are a few hours away.

I looked up your other posts, and I see your kids are still going to be in elementary school for a while. I'd be willing to bet they'd mind switching schools (where their friends are), more than they'd mind living in a rental and possibly moving again in a year or so once the divorce is final. I agree this is a difficult decision, and I hate moving too. Once you start looking at rentals in your area, and seeing what you can afford, it may be easier to make that decision.