The short-term perks of renting
Most folks have the dream of owning their own home. They want that piece of land that belongs to them. That’s totally fine. But while being a homeowner might sound good, it might not make much sense considering where you might be, financially speaking. So, what are the benefits of renting? Are there any benefits at all? The short answer is yes. It might not be what someone wants in the long run, but the short-term perks of renting can potentially outweigh your interest in buying a home.
Maintenance
This is the biggest and easiest one to keep in mind. The 1 percent rule states that you should save at least 1 percent of the value of your home and set it aside for maintenance. So, if your house is valued at $580,000, you’ll need to set aside $5,800 a year. When you rent, all maintenance costs go to the landlord. If the dryer is busted, the landlord takes care of it. If the roof flew off in a freak storm, the landlord pays for it. All the pressure of finding the right repairman and covering costs suddenly vanish and you save $5,800 a year.
No Property Taxes
There’s not much explanation needed here. If you’re a homeowner, you’re going to pay property tax. If you rent, you don’t. Property tax can be $4,000 or more annually, depending on your home’s value and the land. You’ll save potentially several thousand dollars a year by renting instead of owning.
Insurance Cost
Homeowner’s Insurance is required if you’re going to purchase a home. On average, you’re looking at spending around $1,200 in homeowner’s insurance, depending on the value of your home. Renters can obtain renter’s insurance to cover their personal goods in the event of some sort of loss, like a fire. It does pretty much the same thing as homeowner’s, but only costs $12 – $20 a month, according to Investopedia.
Conclusion
Take a moment and consider the potential financial benefits you get now before jumping into buying a home. This is not meant to deter you from homeownership, but to educate and encourage to take a step back and think.
