Buying or Renting - Which is better?

Blog Post Image
Real Estate

Buying a house is a huge step in one's life. Both buying and renting are viable options for those looking to create equity and secure a nest egg for the future. It affects both your lifestyle and your financial well-being.

 

Let's first define what renting and buying mean before we go any further.

 

What is renting a house?

Renting allows you to move whenever your lease is up without incurring a financial penalty. However, if your landlord decides to sell the property or convert your apartment complex into condominiums, you may have to relocate with short notice. It's also possible that they could raise the rent to a point where you can't keep up.

A common misconception regarding renting is that you're essentially "throwing away money" with each and every bill. This is false. You need a place to live, and that's always going to cost you money. While it's true that monthly rent payments don't contribute to equity growth, not all of homeownership's expenses are devoted to this goal.

When your lease is up for renewal, you'll have to deal with unanticipated rent increases (unless your apartment is rent-controlled). Rent hikes might be substantial if you reside in a popular neighborhood. A fixed-rate mortgage, on the other hand, ensures that your monthly house payments will not rise over time (though property taxes and insurance premiums probably will).

 

What is buying a house?

A sense of belonging to a community, a sense of stability, and pride in ownership are just some of the intangible benefits of homeownership. However, it's not ideal for those who are constantly on the move. The first illiquid asset was real estate. A downturn in the housing market could make selling your home difficult. Even if it's up, selling comes with a price tag. When you own, moving is far more expensive if you decide you don't like where you are now.

In general, the cost of owning a property is more expensive than the cost of renting. Because even if the monthly mortgage payment is smaller than the monthly rent, this is still true. Mortgage interest, which can account for a significant portion of your monthly payments in the early years of a long-term loan, is another significant expense to avoid.

 

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning vs. Renting

 

Renting a house

 

Pros

1. Absence of a long-term obligation

The great thing about signing a rental lease is that it's usually less than 24 months, and in many cases less than a year. When renting a home, you may have the option of signing a month-to-month agreement, which implies that you have no commitment to stay in this property longer than you desire. If you've ever had a hard time settling in, this is the ideal circumstance for you.

 

2. There is no obligation to maintain it.

It's more accurate to state that maintenance is largely out of the hands of the user. Major repairs, like a broken appliance or a clogged drain that necessitates a plumber's visit, aren't usually the responsibility of renters. These repairs are usually the responsibility of your landlord (or building owner, etc.). While you might be held responsible in some cases (such as if you broke anything), this isn't usually the case.

3. Could be less expensive than buying

Renting is sometimes less expensive than owning, at least in the short term, depending on your rental and where you reside. Buying a home is a substantial investment, even if the cost is spread out over a long period of time. However, renting frequently does not, as the cost is usually lower.

 

Cons

1. There is no permanence in life.

As previously said, one of the greatest drawbacks of renting is the lack of stability it offers. Even if you continue to rent the same house for decades, it is still not yours. However, it's not just about you; your decorations will also be short on durability. You may not be able to undertake major modifications or updates, such as painting, while renting.

2. You may not be able to keep pets in your home.

A few rental properties don't let you bring your pet, or if they do, you'll be charged an additional price. The fact that some individuals won't care about this doesn't mean that others can't live somewhere that doesn't allow pets. This can be a problem, especially if you have a huge dog, because some rentals accept pets, but not large ones.

3. There is no set pricing for your rent.

Certain cities have rent-stabilized apartments, but they are an exception rather than the rule when it comes to rental properties. Basically, your landlord is free to raise or lower your rent as they see appropriate. If your neighborhood has a real estate boom, your landlord may realize that your rent is below market value and raise it the next time they have the opportunity. This price increase has the potential to force you from your house.

 

Owning a house

 

Pros

1. It's cheaper, in the long run, to buy instead of rent.

You can't get your money back if you pay rent. It's impossible to accumulate wealth when you're paying rent on someone else's house because you don't own it. With all the costs that come with renting, purchasing and owning a property is more cost-effective in the long run than renting. In many circumstances, the cost of renting a property is comparable to the cost of owning a home. If you're going to pay off a debt, you might as well pay it off yourself rather than someone else's.

2. Your payments go directly to owning the home.

You won't get anywhere paying your rent month after month. You're making progress toward owning your home with each mortgage payment (since the bank technically owns it until you do).

3. It's a wise financial move.

The value of a home will increase over time if you do your research and buy a property in the right location at a reasonable price. This also applies to the land. When you buy in a new neighborhood, you may expect the value of your home to rise as the area becomes more well-known. As a mortgage can take decades to pay off, a home is a long-term investment.

 

Cons

1. In the beginning, the costs can be high.

The cost of an appraisal, a down payment, and other costs will be far greater than the cost of your first and last month's rent combined. Rentals don't have Homeowner Association (HOA) dues, which is another benefit.

2. Its value could disease.

A property is a fantastic investment, as we discussed previously, but the market does not always move upward. Individuals lost their homes in the 2008 recession, which was a horrible moment for many people. The market, on the other hand, will eventually recover.

3. Every maintenance task is yours to do.

When the washing machine fails or the roof has to be replaced, there is no landlord to call. It's up to you whether you do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. This can be a big concern in a home with many issues.

 

Which is better?

A person's preference for one alternative over another isn't solely based on cost considerations. Another consideration is your level of satisfaction and how you envision your future. Many people have the misconception that they must be married in order to own a home. To put it another way, a lender's main consideration should be your ability to pay.

Although owning your own home entails greater risk, cost, and responsibility, many individuals prefer it to renting. Children can grow up in a more stable environment thanks to this option. In many cases, it is the only way to get or build the home of their dreams. The choice between renting and buying a home is not solely based on considerations of cost. It's also quite personal.

 

For more details, contact our Professional Real Estate Experts

Marvin and Laura Beninson
The Beninson Team at Keller Williams Realty
203-733-0147 | marvinb@kw.com
thebeninsonassociatesct.com
ct55plus.com