Are You Buying a Home — or Buying an Investment?

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Before you start scrolling Zillow or touring open houses, stop and ask yourself one crucial question:

“Am I buying a home to live in — or a property to build wealth with?”

That one shift in mindset can completely change what you look for, how you budget, and the kind of future you’re building.

At Stairway Mortgage, we’ve helped buyers do both — but the best results come when the mindset and the strategy align.

1. Homeowner Mindset: Comfort First

If you’re buying as a homeowner, your goals might look like this:
 • A quiet neighborhood
 • A nice kitchen
 • A big yard
 • A place to relax and feel safe

That’s beautiful — but it often comes with:
 • Higher monthly expenses
 • Zero cash flow from the property
 • Slower path to a second purchase

You’re building security, but not necessarily leverage.

2. Investor Mindset: Leverage and Income

If you buy with an investor lens — even for your first home — your priorities shift:

  • Low monthly payment
     • Max number of rentable rooms or units
     • FHA or VA multi-unit strategy (up to 4 units)
     • Quick pathway to owning more than one property

The goal? Live in one unit, rent the others, and let the property pay for itself.
 You can even move out after a year and keep the property as your first investment.

3. Your First Purchase Shapes Your Future

The difference between buying a $450K single-family home with a $3,200/mo payment…
 vs. a $450K fourplex with a $900/mo out-of-pocket after rent collection…
 …could mean the difference between owning one property vs. five.

We’re not here to tell you which is “right.”
 But we are here to say: Choose with clarity.

4. Which One Are You Right Now?

There’s no wrong answer. But you owe it to yourself to know:
 • Am I choosing comfort — or leverage?
 • Do I want stability — or rapid growth?
 • Do I want to live alone — or house-hack my way to freedom?

Once you know your truth, we’ll build a financing plan to match it.

Ready to Take Your First Step?

Skip the guesswork. Take our quick Discovery Quiz to uncover your top financial priorities, so we can guide you toward the wealth-building strategies that fit your life.

  • 💡 Takes just 5 minutes
  • 📊 Tailored results based on your answers
  • 🔒 No credit check required
Take the Discovery Quiz

Need a Pre-Approval Letter—Fast?

Buying a home soon? Complete our short form and we’ll connect you with the best loan options for your target property and financial situation—fast.

  • 💡 Only 2 minutes to complete
  • 📊 Quick turnaround on pre-approval
  • 🔒 No credit score impact
Get Pre-Approved Now

Got a Few Questions First?

Let’s talk it through. Book a call and one of our friendly advisors will be in touch to guide you personally.

Schedule a Call
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