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Is buying a home the right choice for you?

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Across the country home sales have suffered. Nationwide incentives have helped boost sales a bit, even in markets like Huntsville that haven't been hit quite as hard by the housing slump.

Experts, however, say buying a home isn't always the best option.

Lloyd and Jenny Williams are looking for a new home.  "We're just coming to get a feel of what Huntsville is like."

Work brings them to the Rocket City from Texas, and this will be their fourth home purchase in 30 years.  Their realtor, Carey Rosenblum, said he's been selling homes in Huntsville for that long.

"Prices in Huntsville are very good compared to other places in the country," said Rosenblum.

Despite big drops in home sales across the country, Rosenblum said the Huntsville housing market hasn't changed much, and it's still a buyer's market.

He said not everyone should buy, though.

"You have to gauge your situation personally. Sometimes you may have another property to sell, or your finances aren't in order," Rosenblum said.

You may also be unemployed and unable to keep up with monthly mortgage payments.

If any of those apply to you, Rosenblum said you may want to hold off on buying and look into renting a home.

"It gives you the opportunity to temporarily provide your family with a house that you're not committed to. You have some flexibility there to shop the market."

Mortgage Lender Mary Lawrence said, "Typically, it's not an emotional decision. You want to look at all the facts."

She said rough economic times have made loan approvals on home mortgages a little tougher, but, surprisingly, she said October was an exceptionally good month for the market.

"I know that home sales are up this month over last month, and I believe that home sales over the last 7 months on both new and existing homes are very good," said Lawrence.

Experts say there are tons of incentives out there for people looking to buy a new home, like the new homeowners' tax credit.

Experts are expecting more families like the Williams' to move into the area soon, with a boost from BRAC.  They also say nationwide stimulus plans, lower mortgage rates and the new homeowners' tax credit, which has been extended to April can't hurt sales either.

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