My first question to you is this, "Will your child always need to live with you"? Sometimes what would work best for you will change from time to time, so try not to plan the rest of your life with what you know now. I say this because I too have a handicapped son. When he was 10, 16, 20, 25 and even now that he is 29 I have tried to make a decision about what to do with our living situation. It has changed about 5 times in the last 10 years. Do what you need to do NOW! Live in the present. Does a condo setting have more activities for your child? A pool, park, people, someone to care for the yard, neighbors to help you? Do you need privacy you would get from owning your own home? Would a large back yard with a fence be perfect NOW for your child to have a pet that could play with your child. I hope some of this makes sense to you. A home will need much more up keep outside on your part, but I feel that your equity will build faster in the purchase of a home. A condo can releve alot of pressure and heaven knows you need help with that trying to cope with the duties of a mom with a handicapped child. Good Luck!