April 8th, 2024 1:19 PM by Juan Luis Rodriguez-Kohly
If you're running the numbers, make sure you consider the full costs of ownership, such as maintenance, taxes, and insurance. Many renters dream about eventually owning their own home. There can be many perks to becoming a homeowner—from having more control over your space to building equity and potentially benefiting from rising home values. But it also might be one of the biggest financial commitments you'll ever make, and it's not the right move in every situation.
Read on for 5 key questions to consider as you're weighing this momentous decision of if you should rent or buy. (In addition to answering these questions, try Fidelity's rent vs. buy calculator for a look at how the numbers stack up in your particular situation.)
Why it matters: If buying overstretches your finances, you might be less able to cope with a financial emergency or save for other important goals like retirement. Plus, an inadequate down payment or subpar credit score might leave you at a disadvantage if you're trying to get an offer accepted in today's competitive buying market.
What to consider: The relevant aspects of your finances include:
Why it matters: When you buy, you'll face a boatload of one-time expenses, like broker fees, mortgage origination fees, and title insurance. The longer you stay put, the more time you have to spread out those costs and for your home to potentially rise in value.
What to consider: If you're planning to stay less than 3 years, it likely doesn't make financial sense to buy. (Staying less than 2 years can come with particular tax disadvantages, because you generally won't qualify for a capital gains tax exclusion. This means you'll owe capital gains tax on the full amount of any increase in your home's value.)
Why it matters: You might assume buying is a better value because it lets you build equity in a home. But that may not be the case if rents are low relative to purchase prices in your area.
What to consider: In any comparison, first make sure you're looking at similar properties in the same area (i.e., don't weigh renting your city studio against buying that country cottage). Then you can compare the renting and buying price tags with:
Some people decide with their guts. Others want a detailed analysis. If you're in the latter camp, here are some finer points to keep in mind as you're calculating your rent vs. buy comparison: Factor in the full costs of ownership. In addition to mortgage payments, you'll face property taxes, insurance, routine maintenance, and occasional larger upgrades. (One guideline is to estimate maintenance costs at 0.5% of the home's value per year.) Double-check on that mortgage interest deduction. It won't make sense for you to deduct interest unless all your itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction (which in 2023 is $13,850 for individuals and $27,700 for married couples filing jointly). Consider your next-best use for that money. Remember that a home isn't the only way to build equity. If renting is cheaper, you could invest the money you save by renting in a diversified portfolio to potentially build wealth over time.
Why it matters: Although home prices have historically risen over long periods, there's no guarantee that they will in any given time frame or in any particular area. Plus, what matters for you will be the value of your specific property, which can be influenced by everything from the local economy to whether your neighbors take good care of their lawns.
What to consider: Think about how you'd feel if your home's value didn't budge over 10 years or didn't rise as much as inflation. If you buy, you'll need to accept the possibility that your home won't be a great investment.
Why it matters: Buying a home isn't just a financial transaction. It's also a source of added responsibility, and for many people, pride and satisfaction. You want to make a decision that you can feel good about years down the line.
What to consider: Ask yourself if you feel ready for the level of commitment that owning a home entails. If being on the hook when the basement floods or the roof leaks terrifies you, it could be you're not quite there yet. On the other hand, if you know you want to put down more permanent roots, then you might be ready to take the next step.
Ultimately, the numbers can help you decide, but they can't decide for you.
Looking to bring your homeownership dreams closer to reality? Consider setting up a savings goal to help you build your
down payment or learn more about the steps in the homebuying process.