Tired of renting and eager to own a place of your own?

Want more to show for your money at the end of the year than a pile of rent receipts?

And let’s not forget the hefty tax breaks. Which as the owner of a Las Vegas home are yours simply for writing the check out to the mortgage company rather than the landlord.

You may want to work this checklist before jumping on one of the Las Vegas resale homes even though everything sounds great.

Have you been employed at a steady job for at least two years?

What condition is your credit in? How much debt do you carry? In essence you will need to impress a loan officer somewhere. This comes down to the numbers. You know? Like your income verses your expenses. You will not qualify for a mortgage if your numbers do not add up. So you may want to work on your credit and pare down your debt prior to looking to get pre-approved for a loan for that charming Las Vegas property you’ve had your eye on.

Have you saved enough money for the down payment? 20% is best. Less than that and you’ll probably end up paying PMI or private mortgage insurance. Which will only serve to increase your monthly house payment.

Have you determined how much house you can afford? Here’s a term to know – "PITI". It stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance. Your ideal house payment should be 32% or less, that is even a stretch.

Are you up for the responsibility that comes with owning one of the Las Vegas resale homes? If the air conditioning goes out you will be responsible you will not be able to call a landlord. And no more 30 days notice and moving out either. So if you’re not ready to give up freedoms like that then you might want to defer your house search for now.

Will you still have money left for unexpected expenses after the down payment and closing costs? Not to mention the means to fix all the little things you discover once you’ve moved in.

Granted any one of the Las Vegas resale homes can help you attain the age old American dream of home ownership. Just make sure you’re financially and mentally ready before taking the plunge.