If there is one question that I get asked a lot, it’s this one. Is it better to rent or to buy?

The answer is different for everyone, but if you’re torn between buying or continuing to rent, here are a few things to consider before you dive (head first, or rather, mortgage first!) into the property market.

How long do you plan to live in the place?

If you’re looking at purchasing your first home (or contemplating a sea change), you should factor in the costs of buying and selling. There are solicitor’s fees, stamp duty and other incidentals that pop up through the buying and selling process, and if you plan to move again in a couple of years then buying might turn out to be the more expensive option.

Could you keep it as an investment if you needed to move?