“The heart buys a place to live, the head buys a good investment, together they buy the perfect home.”

With a price tag involving many zeros, buying a home fits squarely into the investment category. Yet, choosing a home strictly as an investment may not be a great idea. If you ignore your lifestyle needs and aesthetic preferences, you could get unhappy enough to sell your investment long before it can provide a return.

Look for a balance between your personal needs and your financial goals by paying attention to appreciation rates in the area; neighborhood amenities; purchase and maintenance costs; size and architectural style; and proximity to work, schools, friends, shopping and entertainment.