Your New Financial Life Together
Begins at Home
After a week or two of marital bliss in the perfect honeymoon location, wouldn't it be great to start your journey together as husband and wife in a place you can truly call home?

It’s no secret much of a bride and groom's pre-wedding focus is spent on finances. But as any newlywed knows, the focus on finances isn't lifted once the walk down the aisle is complete and the honeymoon is over. In fact, newlyweds face a number of financial to-do's once they've finally said their “I do’s”.

However, buying your first home together is one of the best steps you can take to starting an investment strategy. By purchasing a new home, you obtain an investment with minimal risk, a supreme hedge against inflation, taxation control and, in some cases, create a forced savings plan. Not to mention, the emotional tie-in that keeps you moving forward - likely to create even better financial habits as time passes.

While the economy has yet to fully recover, the speculation that the coming year will be much better than 2009 has made first time homebuyers even more confident. The real estate market is finally showing some solid signs of hope. Yes, foreclosures are still worrisome, but sales are sharply rising, both on a month-to-month and year over year basis.

According to Debbie Spencer of Geneva Chervenic Realty, “While financial struggles have moved to the forefront for many families, others have noticed that 2009 is actually proving a good time to buy, particularly for those hoping to enter the housing market.”

Affordable prices, record low interest rates and first-time home buyer's tax credits have made home buying attractive in the current market. While some economists believe home prices will remain low for the foreseeable future, those other buyer-friendly incentives could disappear soon. If you've been on the fence about buying a home, now may be the best time to explore the possibilities.

Buying a home is most likely the single most important financial decision of your life. And whether you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned real estate investor, purchasing a home as husband and wife is the first step to becoming fiscally responsible... together!