What are the advantages of buying and renting a home?

There are plenty of factors to consider when making the decision to rent or buy your next home. The real estate market is always evolving, and what may have been the best decision for your financial situation in the past might not still apply to you now. As you consider renting or buying a home, know that varying rules, regulations, locations and markets can all play a part in how much you end up paying.

Separating some common myths from reality is a good way to start. For example, just because you hear that it’s a “buyer’s market” doesn’t mean you should necessarily buy now. Sometimes, renting is the most sensible financial option. It all depends on your priorities and financial situation. So let’s take a deeper look at the pros and cons of both renting and buying a home:

One of the biggest advantages of owning is the equity that you can build in your home. Equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what your home is currently worth. Over time as you make your mortgage payments, the total amount that you owe on your home goes down, while the value of your home (theoretically) could go up. This increased value could give you the ability to build wealth, affording you greater financial freedom down the line, if you ever decide to sell.

There are also potential tax benefits to home ownership. As a homeowner you might be able to take advantage of certain deductions like the mortgage interest deduction and property tax deductions that can save you a lot of money.*

When you own your own home, you can customize and improve it in a ways you cannot do with a rental property, so home ownership offers a more flexible living situation. With a fixed rate mortgage, you’ll have the stability and peace of mind of knowing what your payment will be. You won’t have to worry about your rent changing from month to month at the whims of your landlord or competitive rental markets.

While there are many benefits, there are also a lot of costs associated with buying and owning a home. Some of these costs are obvious and up front. Others are less obvious and may arise much later.

For example, the down payment isn’t the only sum of money you are accountable for at purchase. There are also closing costs and home inspection fees. After these up-front payments, you’ll also incur monthly expenses—like your principal and interest, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, mortgage insurance (if your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s purchase price), HOA dues (if applicable) and other utility bills.

In addition to those recurring payments, you’ll be responsible for any repairs or renovations—both planned and unforeseen—and general maintenance. Gone are the days of having the landlord send a repair person to fix something. That means a single bad weather event, a broken pipe or a failing appliance could cost you a lot of time and money without warning. Here are some common homeowner expenses:

• Property taxes
• Utilities (some landlords require renters to pay these)
  • Trash
  • Water/sewer
  • Electricity
  • Gas
• Pest control
• Yard care
• Homeowners insurance
• Lender-required flood insurance or earthquake insurance (in some areas)
• Home Owners Association (HOA) dues
• Leaf or snow removal
• Security system
• Internet/cable

As a renter, you don’t have to worry about the costs of maintenance or unexpected repairs. Typically, you’ll make one monthly rent payment and pay some utility bills. If there’s a leaky faucet or malfunctioning appliance, your landlord pays the bill. This can save you some money, especially if you don’t want to settle in place for a long time.

Renting makes it easier to relocate, so if you see moving as a possibility within the next few years, renting could make more financial sense. The financial advantages of buying a home grow after you stay in your home for a while, giving yourself time to build equity and value. If you foresee yourself moving in the next few years—for love, a new job, better weather, or any other reason—the flexibility of renting may be a better option for you at this time.