Making the Transition from Renting to Buying: Important Points to Consider
Everyone dreams of calling a house their home. Nothing can make you feel more secure than becoming a homeowner, unless buying will create financial problems of its own. Make sure you do the research associated with making this life changing transition. Here are a few points to consider as you weigh the pros and cons of home ownership.
Payments
Figure your monthly payments if you were to buy. Compare your monthly rent to a calculation of the following: purchase price and down payment of your home, your annual income (and debt!), property tax rate, home insurance rate, interest rate and length of loan. For best results, contact a home-buying specialist.
Other Costs
Expect other costs to homeowning. Along with your monthly mortgage and down payment, there’s property tax and homeowners insurance premiums, and fees known as “closing costs.” These include everything from a credit check to “points”- interest paid up-front in return for a lower interest rate. Others: title insurance fee, survey charge, attorney/escrow fees, and loan origination. So do your research!
Long-term Equity
No discussion of home ownership is complete without considering the long-term benefits of owning. What your house will be worth when you sell depends on the state of your mortgage and the housing market, in particular. Consult with real estate professionals, read up, and do your math to get a realistic sense of your future home value.
Lifestyle and Mobility
Mobility is part of renting. Freedom to take the next job or move for a relationship is easy to come by when you rent a home. And when you do move, there’s often more choice of specific location, and price, when you seek rental housing. Many renters say they love knowing they’re not tied down – and don’t have to assume financial responsibility for their living space.
Who Does the Work
While you don’t receive the joys of making a place truly “your own,” you do have limited costs in renting. Landlords are responsible for general upkeep and safety, allowing you to focus on the fine points. Homeowning, in contrast, puts you in the driver’s seat. You shoulder the expenses and reap the rewards of home improvement – both great and small. Think about whether you want to put in additional time and money.
Choices, Choices
Whether you decide to take the step of home ownership is a personal choice with many exciting benefits. Hopefully we’ve helped dust off the magic ball a bit; what you see in your future is up to you!