I’d like to put a thought “out there” for people who are considering buying a home.  If it is at all possible, I’d like to recommend that you rent the home with the option to buy it BEFORE you commit to buying it.  There is some sound reasoning for this.  First of all, there is the “try it before you buy it” rationality.  If you live in a house for a few months or a year, you will get the feel for what the neighbors are like (which is more important than you realize) and if you have kids you will get a good idea for whether or not the school system meets your needs.  In addiditon you will get to know the house itself – whether or not the roof leaks, how often you might having plumbing issues, how reliable is the heating and cooling system, do the appliances meet your needs?  If, after you have lived there for a few months or a year, you find that it does NOT meet your needs, then you can simply move away without having to try to sell the house!  Yes, try before you buy.  Good advice.