Owning a home is the American dream, but it doesn’t always make sense for everyone. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy. These can be complicated things to consider, so if you’re just not sure what’s right for you in this market, please feel free to reach out so we can talk it through.
Owning a home is not always better than renting one. But renting isn’t always as easy as it seems, either. There are some important pros and cons to consider on both sides.
Renting Negatives:
-Landlord restrictions/rules
-Limited ability to personalize your home
-Long-term rental rates can fluctuate and provide little-to-no long-term benefits
-Lack of sense of belonging
-Landlord can decide to sell the home, requiring you to move
Renting Positives:
-Most maintenance and renovation costs are at the landlord’s expense.
-Allows you to get to know multiple local neighborhoods and areas
-Flexibility, less commitment
-Time to establish credit
-No real estate taxes to pay
Owning Negatives:
-Relocation can be difficult
-Ongoing maintenance expenses and repairs can be pricey and time-consuming
-Can be expensive if it’s only for the short-term
-Equity in the home is not a liquid asset
Owning Positives:
-Long-term investment that grows with time and can help you build wealth
-Tax incentives
-Freedom to personalize as you please
-Fixed interest rates with minor fluctuations in monthly expenses
-Sense of stability and community connection Renting or owning is a lifestyle choice that can have a significant impact on your finances. Evaluate your personal needs and wants with respect to your work-life balance. What makes sense for one person’s needs doesn’t always make sense for another person’s needs because there are so many variables to keep in mind. A lender can also help you run the calculations (based on an actual mortgage scenario) on renting vs. buying so you can make an informed
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