Homeownership is great, but also expensive. However, renting provides a little more freedom. Read on to learn about the cost of owning a home vs. renting.
Compared to homeownership, rental costs are more straightforward. There are some costs, however, that potential renters tend to overlook. For example, your rent can change when the term of your lease ends, forcing you to decide between moving or paying higher rent. So, which is the better option? What is the cost of owning a home vs. renting?
If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or own a home, it's important to understand the different expenses associated with each option so you can make an informed decision. It’s also a good idea to look into alternative options that may simplify this process for you. Truehold’s Sale-Leaseback, for example, offers an innovative home equity solution for a homeowner who wants to minimize the financial or physical burdens of homeownership without moving.
Owning a home comes with various annual and monthly housing costs. While not applicable to everyone, the majority of homeowners are familiar with these expenses:
Your mortgage isn’t always the only monthly expense. When you buy a home, you’re also taking on costs that relate to the real estate transaction itself. There are sales commissions, document fees, service fees, and other expenses that you’ll have to account for. If you have a loan with a fixed interest rate, on the other hand, your mortgage cost will be steady each month.
Some people opt for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that can go up or down depending on the current mortgage interest rate. While this allows you to take advantage of falling rates, it can make budgeting difficult.
Depending on where you live, property tax can be a significant expense.The amount you pay in property tax is based on your home's value. When your land and structure are reassessed, if the value of your property increases, your property tax generally does as well. This can make it difficult for older homeowners living in areas where home values are increasing drastically. If you’re looking for ways to lower your property tax, check out these tips for lowering property tax.
Insurance on your home isn’t just prudent, it's almost always required by the mortgage lender. Even after you own your home, it’s important to keep your home insured to avoid losing your investment in a fire or natural disaster.
The cost of homeowners insurance is usually fairly substantial. High deductible plans may keep your monthly payments lower, but then leave you with less coverage when you need it. Some areas require flood insurance, and this can be a major added expense.
Every home will require repairs and maintenance at some point. If you own your home, you’re probably familiar with routine maintenance like landscaping, checking for leaks, testing your smoke detectors, removing snow, etc. But in addition to these routine chores, remember that just about everything in your home has a lifespan, and someday, you’ll need to pay for a repair or replacement.
Roofs, for instance, usually last 20 to 30 years. You’ll need to have your roof repaired and eventually replaced to prevent damage to the structure underneath.
Other structural repairs include: leaky plumbing, damage to floors, broken or drafty windows and doors, HVAC equipment, gutters, and garage doors. And don’t forget all the appliances you own: the dishwasher, your washer and dryer, stoves, refrigerators, and more. Here’s how the average household maintenance costs could add up over time:
While most homeowners expect occasional repairs and replacements, it is difficult to predict exactly when and how to budget for these. The most frustrating situation is when multiple repairs are needed at once, and the homeowner is stuck with a huge bill.
If you live in a homeowners association (HOA) community, then you’ll pay monthly or quarterly fees which may cover certain utilities and services like trash collection or snow plowing. They can also grant you access to amenities like a community pool or tennis courts.
Another expense some people don’t expect is special assessments. In some HOA communities, there are large and expensive repairs that must be made to a common area or shared building. Homeowners in the community share in the expense, but it can still run into the tens of thousands of dollars for each home.
One major difference between paying rent and owning a home is the stability of the expenses. For the term of your lease, you’ll pay the same rent each month. Some communities offer lower rent for a longer lease term, but shorter leases will be at an increased cost.
Renting usually carries with it the added expense of having to pay the first and last month’s rent upfront along with a security deposit. At the end of the lease, the landlord inspects your rental property, and if there is more than normal wear and tear, you pay for it out of your deposit.
When your lease term is up, your rent can change, and this can certainly be challenging financially, especially if the increase is large.
When you rent, the maintenance costs are paid for by your landlord. This means you don’t need to worry about covering large and unpredictable expenses for broken appliances. If the landlord believes you may have caused the damage, you can be on the hook for the repairs.
You may pay for some or all of your utilities when you rent. This is one expense that is shared between owning a home and renting, since everyone needs to pay for the electricity, gas and water they use, along with trash and sewer fees.
Truehold’s Sale-Leaseback is a great option for homeowners who want to gain freedom from homeownership costs, without downsizing or moving to a new rental property. With Truehold, you sell your home for 100% of the verified home value. Then, you continue to live in your home for as long as you like while paying market rent. For the duration of your lease term, Truehold will cover your home maintenance costs so you can enjoy living at home, free from the burdens of homeownership.
If you think Truehold might be the right option for you or a loved one, give us a call at 314-353-9757, or fill out the form below to receive a free info kit on our Sale-Leaseback solution.
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