If you are contemplating purchasing a home, there are a few things to consider. Can you afford to purchase? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Can I Afford to Purchase a Home? The question of whether to buy or rent ultimately comes down to the position that you find yourself in financially. If you are currently renting a property and you are interested in possibly owning your own home, you should meet with a mortgage professional to see if it is viable option for you. Owning a home may be less expensive than you think especially with the low mortgage rates that are currently available. There may be options for a low to zero down payment as well and even rent-to-own options.
Advantages of Buying a Home
Affordable: The monthly payment on a mortgage is often the same or less than renting even with the taxes and insurance rolled into the payment. The monthly payment will usually remain the same for the entire length of the mortgage as well except when real estate taxes and insurance changes take place whereas a rental amount may increase every year.
Build Equity: As you pay down your mortgage, you will own more of your home. This is what is known as building equity in your home. Also, if property prices in your area increase, that builds equity as well. One day you can sell your home and realize the equity you have built in your home. There is no such equity built up when renting.
Personal Preferences: You have more options to customize a home when you own it. If you would like to paint a wall, replace carpet or even perform a major renovation, you will not have to ask permission of the landlord or risk losing your security deposit.
Potential Income: By owning a home, you have the option to rent out the home if you decide to move rather than selling it. There are several advantages to holding onto a property such as creating monthly income, building additional equity into the property, having security for the future, etc.
Disadvantages of Renting
Lack of Privacy: Often with renting, there are shared spacing with neighboring tenants. If you are fortunate enough to have no adjoining walls with neighbors, your own separate laundry and a separate driveway, then dealing with the landlord each month for payment and every time there is an issue can seem like a lack of privacy as well.
Lose Money: Each month it is like throwing money away since you are not building up anything and saving for your future. Each year the rent will increase as well and at the end of 30 years, you will have nothing to show for it.
Buying a Home is a Good Investment. There are really no advantages to renting and no disadvantages to purchasing when you are talking long term. Yes a short term rental especially when moving to a new area may make sense but when considering a long term option, buying a home is a good investment!