Depending on where you are shopping for a house, it may seem as if everything is out of your price range. Over the course of a decade or so, house prices have skyrocketed, and even with economic issues and some drop off in the market, the pricing on houses is still much higher than it used to be. Many people have ruled out owning altogether, assuming there is nothing they would ever be able to afford. The truth is, there may be options out there if you are willing to be flexible and creative. There are a number of factors to take into account when shopping for a house and if you play your cards right, you may get exactly what you need without having to give up your entire life to afford the cost. First, think about the type of house you are searching for. Obviously a sixteen bedroom mansion is going to cost more than a shack, but you may not be interested in either of these choices. Even if a modest three bedroom home is more expensive than you can handle, there are options. Consider prefabricated homes or modular housing. Many of these offer the space families need, but the costs is minimal compared to other options.

Next, think about where you want to live. You may be limited because of family or work, but if you are willing to add a few minutes to your community, it may open up a whole new are for you. Homes in the suburbs or rural area are often hundreds of thousands of dollars less than options closer to the city. You may give up an extra half hour of your day, but if it means coming home to a piece of property each night that you own, it may be worth it. If you have more flexible options and you are free to live anywhere, move to a part of the country where house prices are cheaper all around. It is surprising to see the differences in prices from one area to another.

If you are still stuck for how you can afford to own a home, consider living with someone else. This could mean buying the home with a family member or it may mean buying it on your own and taking on a renter. It can be risky applying for a mortgage if you are depending on rental income to make ends meet, but if you draw up a contract for the renter in advance and work with the bank to still stay close to a reasonable budget, you may be able to make things work.

Those who are not picky about their living space or are willing to take on home maintenance may be able to invest in a fixer-upper. This comes with special financial benefits if your home has historic value. Sometimes you can get grant money to put toward fixing up historical houses for restoration. If you are handy and willing to commit the time, this may be a great solution to finding a house you love.

Finally, consider purchasing a home that is already in your family. If your family can get beyond squabbles and inheritance issues, you may be able to get a great deal on a family place. Living with a grandparent or parent is a great way to offer support and if things go well, you may eventually be able to purchase the house.

Author Bio: Stewart Wrighter has noticed an increase of modular housing springing up because of their low cost. He and his wife have looked at prefabricated homes to use as a vacation home.

Category: Business
Keywords: modular housing,prefabricated homes