Is now the time to buy or the time to rent a home?

It seems like only a short time ago that mortgage rates were significantly higher, renting was more appealing than owning, and buying a home with less than 5% down was unheard of.

Now is the perfect time to buy with mortgages at an all time low!  Wondering how much of a mortgage you can afford?  No problem!  With so many resources online like “Mortgage Calculators”, the process of buying a home and researching has become drastically simplified.

Here is a break down of how owning a home can benefit your life~

Pros

• Build equity — your wealth will increase as you gain more home equity
• Gain tax advantages — mortgage interest is tax deductible as per IRS code
• Stabilize your payments — monthly payments are relatively steady if your loan has a fixed interest rate, while your landlord can increase the rent
• Have a secure place for your family to live — a home provides a permanent place where your family can live and grow, and you can decorate or expand a house the way you like to create your dream home
• Gain a sense of community — homeowners often are more involved in the well-being of their communities; many homeowners work together for better schools and less crime

Cons

• Maintenance costs — it takes work and money to keep a home in good condition
• Ties up your cash — selling the house may not be possible during the first few years of ownership; moving is more difficult and complicated and you may not have as much flexibility in choosing a new job location
• Can fluctuate in value — there is no guarantee that your home will increase in value; it could decrease in value
• Obligates your finances — when you buy a home, you are obligated to a set monthly payment

Not sure if you are ready to end up in one place?  That is the great thing about owning a home vs. renting.  If a home owner decides to move elsewhere, or take an extended vacation, renting their home is a great way to gain passive income.

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