06/21/2022
Hey everyone, even though the market seems to be softening, many people still have strong opinions about which is better: buying your own home or renting from someone else. In reality, both have their benefits, and which you choose will depend on your lifestyle, budget, needs for the future, and the current condition of the real estate market. (Easier said than done, right?)
Benefits of Owning
1. Forced savings
Every month, you pay yourself. Building equity. If saving money doesn’t come naturally to you – this is a great opportunity to force yourself to put money aside and help it grow
2. Real estate has permanent value
Even if the stock market changes, your home or land will still be desired in the future – especially if it’s located in a growing market.
3. Option for rental income
When a home is yours, you have the option of renting it over the short or long-term, to cover your costs. This can give you flexibility, if you need to move for work, or want to rent a different property.
The Downside of Owning
1. All costs are your responsibility
Owning a home forces, you to have a larger emergency fund than renting. If your appliances break, if your roof is leaking, or if your furnace conks out—all expenses will be covered by you, out-of-pocket.
2. Loss of flexibility
When renting, you’re free to move as soon as your lease is up, which makes moving quick and relatively painless. When you own, you’re locked in with a mortgage; it’s more work and money to list your home and possibly break your mortgage.
3. Big debt load
Your mortgage is likely the largest debt you’ll ever take on. Some people don’t deal well knowing they have debt, so buying with a mortgage is not for everyone.
Benefits of Renting
1. Flexibility
When you rent a place, you’re getting exactly what you want, when you want it. You can move to fit your life—upgrading to a bigger place or moving closer to work. You can move as often as you want with minimal costs.
2. You can Invest in the real estate market without even owning
A real estate investment trust (or REIT for short) is a balanced form of investment in the market. You can choose how much or little you invest, and it doesn’t have to be limited to a region.
3. Invest how you want
If you’re not forced to invest your money in your home, you can invest it anywhere
Downside of Renting
1. You can be told to leave
When you own, you know you’re in control to make the decision to stay or go. When renting, you give that power to your landlord, who can evict you if he or she decides to move back into the home, or sell it.
2. You don’t have control over the aesthetic of your home
A landlord doesn’t have much incentive to upgrade your rental. As long as appliances are working, and the structure is keeping you safe, your landlord can turn a blind eye to an old fridge or peeling paint.
3. Paying off a mortgage for someone else!
The longer you decide to rent and pay off someone else’s mortgage, the farther your own dream of owning property gets away from you. The price of real estate will always go up over time…why not pay yourself in the way of paying down a mortgage and gaining equity in a valuable asset rather than risking having to pay just as much in the rising cost of rent for short-term satisfaction.
Either way, if you would like to get started on finding out what options are available to you, and dive deeper into the benefits and downsides of buying vs renting in your neighbourhood, send me a message. Let's find out what works for you.
GN