Buying a home is generally considered to be one of the largest investments that the average person will make in their life. If this decision is made with the right information in mind, it can be eventually be quite liberating. If on the other hand the wrong decision is made, financial ruin can be the result.
For this and other reasons, choosing whether to rent or buy a home is a huge decision. This article will take a closer look at this subject and help to educate our readers along the way. It will answer some questions that are relevant to the topic along the way. These questions include: What are some of the benefits of renting a home? What are some of the benefits of buying a home? Should I rent or buy? Finally the answer...
Renting offers some definite benefits as compared to buying. These include:
Many lenders now require borrowers to pay hefty down payments when purchasing a home. By renting for a few years, prospective home owners can put enough aside to handle the down payment without breaking the savings account.
When someone owns their own home and something breaks, the homeowner better be ready to take care of the repairs - because chances are no one else will. By renting, individuals can avoid these recurring costs and apply the resulting savings toward other needs.
When a family purchases a home, they are making a big commitment to that community as well. If they would like to move all of a sudden, they will have to find something to do with the house first. Renters have no such qualms. Simply get out of any outstanding lease, find a new place, and leave. Couldn't be simpler.
Buying a home obviously offers many benefits as well. Some of these are:
This may be the main benefit of buying. Once the mortgage is finally paid off, the full market value of the home becomes available to the owner. And even while paying off the mortgage, equity accumulates and can be used for other purposes.
If a homeowner takes good care of the home, it can actually grow in value over time. Thus, the home can end up being worth more than it was when it was purchased. Good stuff.
Another great benefit of owning a home is the additional space that it provides for a growing family. Also important is the freedom it gives the owners to design the home and the property in the style they most appreciate.
So now for the million dollar question: Rent or buy? The best answer will depend on the specific circumstances of the person in question.
For example, if a person has a job that requires them to frequently relocate, buying a house may be the wrong move. On the other hand, if an individual has decided to put down deep roots in a specific place, buying would probably be the better move. So take a careful look at yourself and your special personal situation, and the answer should be immediately clear.
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