Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
What does being an adult mean to you? Does it mean getting higher education or getting married? Working full-time? Having children? What about owning your own home? For many people, taking the plunge into adulthood means owning a home. However, it can be scary to go from paying rent to having a mortgage, especially if you’re a first-time buyer.
You might decide to hire a realtor. A realtor can help you get a good deal and understand all the fine print. When you find a house that you like, you can make an offer to the owners. If they need to sell quickly, they might settle for a smaller amount. But if you need to buy quickly, it might be you who must settle.
Andy thinks it would be fulfilling to own his own home. Listen to his reasons in today’s English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Andy_H: Man, Jessica. With tax season coming up, I’m considering becoming a first-time buyer. I’m thinking about taking the plunge and buying a house.
Jessica: Wow! I’ve heard there are lots of incentives to doing so, especially right now.
Andy_H: Tax breaks?
Jessica: Yeah.
Andy_H: And, when I think about paying rent, I could just as easily be paying on my mortgage and actually owning something.
Jessica: Exactly. When that monthly payment is actually going toward something, I think it’s a lot more fulfilling.
Andy_H: Though, you do have to be careful. My sister just bought a house. All she could tell me is, don’t settle for the first offer. Keep making counter offers and make sure you read that contract.
Jessica: I think now people are trying to sell their houses for so much more than they’re actually worth. You really have to read the fine print and make sure you’re getting a good deal. Really look into the facts before signing that contract.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "There, Their & They're" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Andy is tired of paying rent every month. He thinks he’s ready for the next step… owning his own home. After all, if he has to pay to live somewhere every month, why not pay a mortgage instead of rent? It would be much more fulfilling to have his own place to live.
Jessica thinks that taking the plunge and becoming a home owner can be a smart idea. Plus, the government gives special tax incentives to people who buy homes. But she warns Andy to be very careful. He shouldn’t settle for the first offer, even if it sounds like a good deal.
Do you rent or own your home? Do you always read the fine print before signing a contract?