One of the most important milestones a person passes when growing up is getting their own place for the first time. Depending on your financial situation and plans for the future, you may ask yourself “Should I rent or buy a house?” And while the answer to that question is ultimately up to you, there are some vital things to take into consideration before you make your choice.
If you’re entering the housing market for the very first time, here are some big reasons renting might be your best option.
You’re Free to Get Up and Leave at Any Time
First and foremost, one of the biggest advantages that renting has over buying is that it requires significantly less commitment. When you take out a mortgage loan, you’re signing away years of your life and income to pay off what you owe.
Conversely, when you enter a rent agreement, your obligation is strictly short-term. Even if you sign a lease for a certain period of time, that period is much shorter than any mortgage would be, meaning you’re not tied down to a single place for years and years.
Maintenance and Repairs Aren’t Your Problem
There are many ways in which homeownership can be a real headache, and one of the biggest is the necessity of keeping up with maintenance and repairs. When you own your home, that property is your responsibility and yours alone. Don’t expect anyone to help you out of the goodness of their heart.
Rental properties, meanwhile, are owned by landlords, so if they depreciate in value the landlord loses out. That gives them plenty of incentive to take care of any issues that might need fixing, saving you plenty of money and stress in the process.
Paying Rent is a Good Way to Build Up Credit
To a lot of people renting is okay for the time, but the ultimate dream is to someday own a house that’s all yours. That doesn’t mean you should rush into it, though. In truth, buying a house takes time. You have to save up for a down payment, and you have to make sure your credit score is high enough to meet lending requirements for a loan.
Building credit can be tricky, with numerous pitfalls waiting to trip up the unwary. Fortunately, one way you can build credit is by simply paying your rent on time. This can help you kill two birds with one stone, providing you a place to live now and helping you work towards a home of your own later.
You Have Fewer Fees and Taxes to Worry About
Renting is cheaper than buying in more ways than one. Even the most expensive security deposit is unlikely to rival the cost of a down payment on a house, and rent costs are usually comparable to mortgage bills. There are other ways rent is affordable, though. Less obvious and often overlooked ways.
To wit, homeownership requires you to pay property taxes. Likewise, your loan terms may require private mortgage insurance. Then, of course, there are utility bills, including garbage pick-up, heating, sewage, and more. As a renter, you don’t have to worry about property taxes or mortgage insurance, and many landlords entice tenants by paying for a portion of the household utilities.