Home Ownership
According to a recent report by Trulia, “buying is cheaper than renting in 100 of the largest metro areas by an average of 33.1%.” The report may have some people thinking about buying a home instead of signing another lease extension, but does that make sense from a financial perspective?
Ralph McLaughlin, Trulia’s Chief Economist explains:
“Owning a home is one of the most common ways households build long-term wealth, as it acts like a forced savings account. Instead of paying your landlord, you can pay yourself in the long run through paying down a mortgage on a house.”
The article listed five reasons why owning a home makes financial sense:
- Mortgage payments can be fixed while rents go up.
- Equity in your home can be a financial resource later.
- You can build wealth without paying capital gains.
- A mortgage can act as a forced savings account.
- Overall, homeowners can enjoy greater wealth growth than renters.
Bottom Line
Before you sign another lease, let’s get together and discuss all your options.
Have questions about real estate you want answered? Even if you aren’t planning to buy or sell for years, I hope you’ll feel comfortable calling me to talk about your unique real estate situation. I’d love the opportunity to become your agent long before you actually need one. ~ Lynda Van Wie
