So, you’re looking at moving and you’re not sure if renting or owning a home is right for you?
You’re not sure if one is a better financial decision than the other?
You’re not sure if you’ll be able to find the type of house or apartment you’d like to live in?
You’re not sure what you can handle financially?
This article will dive into ways you can learn how to know if renting or owning a home is right for you in the Memphis area.
How To Know If Renting Or Owning A Home Is Right for You in Memphis TN
Throughout the 1950’s-1990’s, home ownership was a major goal of most families across America. Owning a home was the “American Dream” and if you didn’t own your house there was almost this stigma that went with that.
Generally, homeownership rates rose in each decade since 1950, except in the 1980s when it remained unchanged ¾ increasing from 55 percent in 1950 to 66 percent in 2000.
But, that rule has changed in recent years. The economic downturn paired with the bursting of the housing bubble makes renting an attractive option for many Americans… maybe even you.
In the past, the choice to rent or own here was about whether you’d prefer to live in a house or an apartment. Now, there are opportunities to purchase apartments / condos and rent homes, so there are options for renters or perspective owners to live in whatever type of property that they’d prefer.
Renting is great for people who want flexibility. Perhaps you’re just starting your career, and you’d like to be able to relocate quickly. Renting is a wonderful option for people who like to “try out” various neighborhoods in their city before finding a place to settle down.
Owning a home ties you to one location for a good period of time. It would destroy your credit to step away from your mortgage, and selling your home is a long, arduous process that could end in you losing some of your initial investment.
In many cases, contrary to popular opinion, it can be more cost-effective to rent than own, especially in situations where the local housing market isn’t going up in value very much each year. While renters pay a fixed amount each month, homeowners are required to pay additional fees, such as homeowners insurance, maintenance, repairs, HOA (local community association fees).
It’s not always best to rent, however. Owning a home is still the American dream. You have the right to paint, decorate, and reconfigure your house however you’d like, without the worry of risking your security deposit or upsetting your landlord. It’s the ultimate in freedom when it comes to your house.
Homeownership as an investment. While the housing market has rebounded here locally in Tenessee, the home values aren’t increasing like they were during the build up of the housing bubble (which is a great thing actually)… but another benefit of home ownership is homeowners typically enjoy the potential appreciation of the value of their home.
From 1968-2004, home values grew by approximately 6.4% annually, outpacing inflation (as well as many stocks & other financial instruments).
As a homeowner with a fixed rate mortgage, you enjoy the benefit of inflation protection. For example, if your mortgage payment is $500 each month, you’ll pay that for the duration of your loan. However, the purchasing power of $500 can change significantly over the course of 15, 20, or 30 years. As most people’s income grows over time, a fixed- rate mortgage can eat less and less of your take-home pay each month.
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase or rent your next home. The key is doing exactly what you’re doing now… learning how to know if renting or owning a home is right for you.
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