A lot has changed since the creation of the American Dream. We’re highly mobile, our jobs change more quickly, and we often have different priorities. For a lot of people, flexibility in living situations give them the chance to change jobs, try new cities, and remain open to new opportunities more easily with less financial impact.

If you travel for work or are constantly relocating due to your profession, renting is the obvious choice. Renting will allow more flexible time lines for commitment to an area. Some renting options will even allow you to rent month to month. Leasing can also allow you to save money.

Also, keep in mind any HOA fees which are often not included in your monthly mortgage payment. Perhaps the biggest hidden cost will appear when you sell the home. Traditionally, the home seller carries the cost of paying Realtors on both side of the transaction, approximately 3% of the purchase price each. If you sell your home for $200,000, expect Realtor fees of $12,000 total, and that’s before any other seller concessions.

As a homeowner, you might find yourself dumping money into an endless pit of remodeling projects and updates for your home. Updates help retain and increase the value of your home, but you generally won’t see the return on that investment until you sell your home.

And depending on the updates, you may not see much of a return at all. Save your money and invest, travel, or throw it into your retirement! Remodeling projects can be time-consuming and expensive.