“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” - Unknown 

When my husband and I started ministry in small town USA, we bought a 100-year-old fixer-upper. It was the perfect hangout for all the youth kids.

When we moved to Zambia, we bought a simple ranch house surrounded by fruit trees. It was a host spot for Bible studies and a haven for our family.  

Buying a house is a wonderful investment, but understanding some of the details will save you a headache. Let me share some wisdom from my experience.

1. Know the rules of the country. In Africa we were required to live in country for a certain amount of time before we could legally own the property. In America non-citizens require work permits and individual taxpayer identification numbers. Study the immigration and residency status of each country.  

2. Understand the financing. Ask about first time home-buying programs and grants. Some programs like military or rural communities allow zero percent down. First-time homebuyers can put as little as three percent down, and seasoned buyers are required to put five percent down or more.

Ask about the rate (fixed or variable) and terms. Is there a prepayment penalty or balloon product hidden in the loan?

3. Maintain your credit. Some countries don’t use credit because it is based on your status and employment. Usually two years in the same line of work is required. 

In America, the higher the credit score the better. Make your monthly payments on time because being late a few days can lower your credit score. If you use a credit card, pay if off each month or keep the balance under 50% of the limit. 

As global workers, we all desire a place to call our own regardless if it is rented or purchased. If the opportunity arises to buy your own home, I pray these tips give you wisdom.