Do you ask yourself the question should I rent or should I own? If you are looking for a smart investment then owning is the way to go. Here are some things to think about when weighing owning versus renting.
Whether you are renting or purchasing your money matters! Research where to get the most return for your money.
The amount housing prices go up will greatly affect your return. There are many resources to tap into where you can find great information about retirement, saving for college, investing and online financial services.
Look at a mortgage on a home as a means of saving money. A great advantage for homeownership is the ability to deduct your mortgage interest from your taxable income.
“Another primary advantage is the opportunity to build wealth via earned equity that is not available through renting,” says Daren Blomquist, senior vice president for ATTOM Data Solutions. “We know that home values do not always go up. But over the long term, they have consistently trended higher.”
Many people think of stocks, bonds, savings accounts, retirement accounts and cd’s as solid ways to save your hard-earned income but there can be challenges with these as well. You might plan on and begin to set away a certain amount of income to one of these investments each month, however a life-changing event such as aging parents, growing children, job loss or health issues can wreak havoc on this plan.
Right now, a mortgage is more affordable than rent. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, Bureau of Labor Statistics and Realty Trac, fair market rent on a 3-bedroom home is less affordable than a mortgage on a median-priced home in a majority of the counties across America. Monthly rent takes up 38.6% of average wages where a mortgage only requires 36.6%. Fair market rents across America are rising faster than the average wages.
Blomquist comments, “Today’s near record low homeownership rate, combined with low inventory of rental property, have combined to push rental rates higher during the housing recovery. In the majority of markets, home price appreciation has been outpaced by growth in rental rates.”
Remember it is not just a financial choice but an emotional choice as well when making a decision on your primary dwelling. Where we live makes a huge difference in our everyday life. From use of space to a lush backyard garden, to the installation of a fountain, outdoor kitchen, firepit, or home pool, Homeowners can enjoy more privacy and flexibility to make changes to their living space.
