The pros and cons of renting vs buying a house

Guest post by Moving Waldo

Deciding to move out of your small apartment and move into your first house is an exciting yet challenging time. You are then faced with the choice of either renting or buying a house. While renting a house can get you moved-out quicker as you won’t have to undergo all that paperwork and won’t have to save up for a down payment, you’ll be giving your money away without getting a return on it. There are lots of things to consider in making that decision, here are some of the pros and cons of renting versus buying a house.

The Pros of Renting a House

1. No need to save for a down payment 

Down payments are expensive and can take many months to save up for. A 20% down payment on a $250 000 house comes out to $50 000 which is hard for the average person to save up for. When renting a house, you won’t need to worry about saving for a down payment. 

2. No need to pay property taxes every year

Property taxes can become quite expensive, especially in the safe family-oriented areas that most people want to live in. It’s important to keep in mind that property taxes vary depending on the property size, location, and tend to be higher in areas closer to large urban centers. When renting a house, you’ll save the thousands of dollars you would otherwise pay on property taxes every year. 

3. Tenant insurance won’t be as expensive 

Tenant insurance is a must to protect your belongings in your rented house. Tenant insurance is much less expensive than paying home insurance and mortgage protection insurance. 

4. More flexibility to where you want to live & when you want to leave

Buying a house in a trendy neighbourhood is a lot more expensive than renting in a trendy neighbourhood due to the initial and yearly expenses that come with it like the welcome tax and the property taxes. You’ll also be able to leave quickly when renting as you won’t have to worry about the particulars of selling your house. Leaving your rental is as simple as not renewing your lease and you won’t have to worry about the particulars of selling your house.

The Cons of Renting a House  

1. Some maintenance may be required

Depending on what’s included in the lease & rental agreement, you may have to contribute to some maintenance-related tasks like mowing the lawn.

2. You’ll have to pay for damages and constantly be careful 

While you would also have to pay for damages in the house you buy, you can slack on the small damages. When renting, you’ll always have to be careful as you’ll have to pay for any damages you cause, even the small ones.  

3. You can’t make your own rules

Living in a rented house means living in a house that technically isn’t yours so in many cases you won’t be able to make your own rules about pets, decor, painting and noise levels.

The Pros of Buying a House

1. Your house will go up in value

When getting a mortgage for a house, most of the money you pay every month contributes to growing the value of your house. You are therefore not losing any money as the house belongs to you. 

2. If you need emergency money, you’ll have it 

If ever you’re in a situation where you need emergency money, if you own a house, there may be an opportunity to leverage some of the equity that you have built up as you’ve paid off your mortgage.

3. You’ll have pride in owning your house

Owning a house that you put hard-earned money into will make you feel proud and consequently improve your mood and boost productivity. Owning a house is a big accomplishment, and you’ll be more inclined to take on home projects (whether big or small). This will increase the value of your house and you’ll learn new things along the way. 

4. You can rent it out 

When buying a house, you can rent your home out anytime you want and go live elsewhere because it belongs to you. You might even fetch a little more in rental income than your mortgage costs and make some money in the process.

5. One day, you’ll be living for free!

After many years of mortgage payments and maintenance, the house will belong to you completely and you’ll be living for free!

The Cons of Buying a House

1. You’ll have to go through all the house-buying paperwork & fees

From getting pre-approved to closing on the deal, there is so much paperwork and fees involved in the house-buying process. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and exhausting. 

2. The responsibilities can become overwhelming 

While owning a house can make you feel accomplished and proud, it can also become overwhelming due to the constant issues that come up, the economy (which can bring down the value) and the recurring payments. 

3. Repairs and maintenance are expensive 

Repairs, maintenance, and recurring expenses are things you should be prepared for when owning a house. You’ll have small expenses such as maintaining your front and backyard, but you will also need to plan and budget for larger expenses such as replacing your windows or roof repairs.

Buying a house is a huge accomplishment and a common goal for many people  Buying, let alone maintaining a house is expensive, which is why some choose to rent instead. 

Renting is cheap and simple in the short run, but it won’t lead to any return on investment. Along with the investment benefit, the feeling of ownership, pride and security is what leads people to buy a house. If neither renting or buying a house is for you, you can always opt for an apartment, a mobile home or even a tiny house! 

Are you moving to your new house soon? Whether you’re renting or buying the house, you’ll definitely need one of the best movers to transport your belongings safely. 

If you’ve opted to buy, getting mortgage protection insurance is a great way to protect your loved ones in case of an unfortunate event.

About MovingWaldo

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