It's an age-old question, should you buy a home or rent?
And more specifically should you buy or rent a home in New York if you can afford it?
There are many pros and cons to each scenario if you’re contemplating renting and paying monthly rent or buying a median-priced home or single-family home in the Big Apple.
Reasons to rent include low sales inventory and uncertain economic conditions, while reasons to buy include rising prices and rising mortgage rates among other factors listed below.
Choosing between the two options is not an easy decision, but here are some tips, info, and advice to help you make the right decision for your situation. It is also a good idea to reach out to a professional and qualified real estate agent or real estate broker to assist you o be its closing costs, a credit score check, or helping with mortgage payment information.
While some may say its a waste of money to rent a rental property and homeownership is the way to go, it all depends on your monthly expenses, if you can put a percent don payment on a new home, if you can afford to pay property taxes and of course, overall, if you have the funds for a home in.
Staying in NYC
One major factor to consider is where you expect to be in the next few years. Do you expect a major life change — an unexpected financial crisis, getting married, or changing jobs — these things could force you to move in the short term. Or do you expect to stay where you're at if these life-changing moments happen?
If you have a long-term plan to stay in New York, owning a home provides refuge during life-changing changing times, but if you are going to be in NYC only a few years consider a different option.
The most important factor in the rent vs. buy scene is the length of time you plan to stay in one place. The longer you have stayed in one place, the more logical it is to own your home. But other things come into play: The economic health of the city or state, your financial picture, and home improvement projects, to name a few.
Staying Where You Are
If you're planning to stay where you are now for at least 5 years and you have the finances to do so, buying a home could make sense over a rental property.
But if you are not sure where you will be in the years to come be it personally or professionally, experts suggest renting since it is more flexible and is usually based on a one-year commitment.
However, bear in mind that if you choose to live in a privately owned condo or co-op whereas a tenant you face the possible, le of being asked to leave after one or two years since the owner wants to live there or in a rental property There's also the real possibility that you could see a 15 to 20 percent jump in rent every year thus wasting
Stable Housing Payments
If you finance your home purchase with a fixed-rate mortgage loan, you will know the exact amount of your principal and interest payments for the life of the loan, whose term could last 30 years, which means more financial stability.
If you rent, however, you'll have a hard time predicting your monthly rent which could change yearly depending on your landlord and the rental market overall.
Additionally, for a homeowner, or potential buyer principal and interest payments are only one face of homeownership. for example, there are homeowners’ insurance premiums that aren't fixed, and they can increase.
Property taxes and homeowners association dues, and homeowners insurance are other costs, as well as maintenance costs. If you need a new roof or air conditioner, as the current owner or potential homeowner you're the one who will pay for all maintenance costs which could equate to thousands of dollars. Nonetheless, taking out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage means you can expect the same cost for principal and interest for 360 months, which provides more stability.
A Home as an Investment
One of the most common reasons to buy is why pay rent when you can buy a home? If you buy today, your home's value will appreciate, especially if you live in an area with a good job market. However, you should never depend on fast appreciation. Even if your home value stays steady, your home will provide another type of investment: A mortgage you get from a mortgage broker is a forced savings account, one that requires you to pay yourself every month.
You're the Boss
Predictable monthly payments, return on investment and significant tax benefits - are all reasons to own a home. Homeownership is a long-term investment and can be an emotional as well as an expensive one and is decided by lifestyle.
Homeownership means you are the boss and have the biggest say in your lifestyle and family decisions. Suppose your kids are in public school and you don't want them to change schools because your landlord doesn't renew your lease.
Owning a home would diminish that risk as well as what if you have pets you don't want to give them up? Apartment complexes can be weird about dogs, cats, rabbits, and reptiles, but if you own your house, no worries. Do you love gardening or redecorating? Need a place to store your exercise equipment? As a homeowner, you can more easily enjoy these things without worrying about planning or restrictions.
Source: moneygeek.com
What's Best for the Kids
Researchers report that children of homeowners do better in school, spend less time staring at screens and have healthier upbringings versus children of renters. Of course, great parents can rent, and bad parents can own. In general, the reports suggest that homeownership is a better environment for children, according to a National Institutes of Health's sponsored study that refers to the "intangible benefits" of homeownership among differing income classes.
Source: moneygeek.com
It's Cheaper Than Renting
If you remain in your house for more than five years, owning is a better deal than renting as it becomes a long-term investment. Rent vs. buy study by the listing site Trulia found that in cities such as Miami, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City, buying is 50 percent cheaper than renting, assuming you stay in the same home for seven years. Even in more expensive markets such as Honolulu and San Francisco, people who can afford to buy save more compared to renters. Nationwide, homeownership is 35 percent cheaper than renting. Of course, that's an average - if your home value shoots up, you'll do better than average. If it heads south, you'll most likely wish you had rented.
Source: moneygeek.com
On a Budget
If buying means, you must self-sacrifice to keep enjoying living in New York City — going with a rental property makes the better option, whether you're young, single, or have a family that needs a larger area than you can afford to buy.
Some renters opt to go with a rental property because their monthly payment lets them live a grander lifestyle and lets them do the things they want without having to worry about a hone, a mortgage, etc.
Overall
Homeownership whether it is a home, single-family home, median-priced home, or condo building, is a personal decision, one that brings advantages and disadvantages. Do you like the idea of gardening and replacing flower beds every spring? Perhaps you are ready to reap the benefits of homeownership; the decision is entirely yours.