Hart Nat Hentoff David Horowitz Arianna Huffington Marianne Jennings Michael Kelly Mort Kondracke Ch. I am almost 62, married and on a fixed income. The rent on our apartment increases every year. Home ownership doesn't necessarily ensure that your payments will remain the same.
Taxes can and usually do go up, as does insurance and other costs.
I would continue to rent if I were you. If he doesn't get it, he will lose his home. He has a history of being unreliable and does not keep his word. With a track record such as your brother has exhibited, you may as well make it a gift, because the overwhelming likelihood is that he will not pay you back. The problem with that scenario is that it continues to encourage the irresponsible behavior.