When HGTV was planning episodes of its latest show, “Rent or Buy” recently, the Home & Garden television network asked the Kittleman Group for Keller Williams Select Realtors in Howard County to participate. Specifically Lisa Kittleman the real estate groups Lead Buyer Specialist. And after assessing the online reviews, HGTV saw something special in the Kittleman Group.
Lisa Kittleman at 24, has built an impressive portfolio of real estate transactions since graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in Marketing. When her parents convinced her to try real estate for just a year she agreed and has never turned back.
As for the show, Lisa says she loved the experience. HGTV selected an active duty military couple to feature as one of Lisa’s clients. She spent three days on-air showing homes to the couple and their family, some to rent some to buy. While the filming “slowed down the showing process,” Kittleman says, it also brought her closer to the family.
This episode has yet to air, look for the date and time on Her Mind Facebook page.
Lisa provided the following Q&A:
Why is buying vs. renting a concern in today’s real estate market?
I work with many first-time homebuyers, and this is their first concern. It often comes down to money – what’s going to be the best option for what they want to spend. The state of the economy, job market and real estate bubble are all factors in how people approach money for buying or renting. But the pride that comes with homeownership can’t be overlooked either.
So what’s your opinion about buying vs. renting?
I tell my clients to consider three big questions when choosing between buying and renting.
1. How long do they plan to live in the area? If they’re planning to be in the area between 3-5 years, they’re in the buying time-horizon. Less than three years, they may consider renting more seriously.
2. Have they saved enough for a down payment? No one should get into a financial situation where they’re uncomfortable, and having enough for a down payment is the first test.
3. Does it make financial sense? Right now there are lower interest rates and lower home prices than have previously been in our area, which makes buying more accessible. People want to buy; they just don’t know they can. Part of my job is to educate them about the financial process of buying a home.
