Is it time for you to get out of the rent race and buy a home of your own? There are plenty of advantages to homeownership. And while buying isn’t right for every person or for every life stage or circumstance, there are several perks of homeownership that tend to stay stable over time. These include building long-term equity, the comfort and pride that can be associated with owning your own home and, of course, lower overall monthly cost.

If you’re a person on the go and hate mowing grass and raking leaves, maintenance-free condo living might be for you. And if you’re buying a condo with an FHA or VA loan program because of their attractive low-down payment and flexible credit qualifications, you need to be aware that the condo you are considering must be in an approved development.