What If I’m Not Ready to Buy a Home Just Yet?
Are you ready to become a homeowner, but don’t really know whether or not you’re really willing to commit to a place for 15-to-30 years? No worries, we understand that homeownership can be a very big milestone and not one that should be take lightly, which is why renting a home might be the option for you. However, you should understand that whether you choose to rent or buy a home, there are still massive financial responsibilities that need to be taken into account and weighed.
What Do I Need to Take Into Consideration When Renting a Home?
Typically, when you’re looking to rent a home, you’ll start by searching for properties that fit your needs. Once you’ve found a property that you’re interested in, you’ll need to contact the landlord or leasing agent to schedule a viewing. If everything checks out and you want to move forward with the rental, you’ll then have to fill out an application and submit it along with any required fees. Your credit score will be checked and once approved, you can move in!
When it comes to renting a home, your credit score and income are two of the most important factors that will be considered. Most landlords or leasing agents will require that you have a credit score of 650 or higher in order to rent their property. In addition, your annual income should be at least three times the monthly rent amount.
Homeowner Edition: What Are The Pros and Cons of Renting a Home?
When it comes time to deciding whether or not to rent a home, it’s important to weigh all of the pros and cons. On one hand, renting has several benefits: there is no long term commitment, you are not responsible for maintenance or repairs, and the costs can be cheaper than owning a property. On the other hand, there may be more restrictions when renting, you’re at the mercy of your landlord for these things, and there is no tax benefit. It’s important to consider all of these factors before making a decision that’s right for you!
Homeowner Edition: The Pros and Cons of Renting a Home
Top 5 Pros of Renting a Home
1. No long-term commitment
When renting a home, you typically are not locked into a lease for a long period of time. Most leases are month-to-month, so you can easily move if your needs change. This also gives you the flexibility to move to a new city without having to worry about selling your home first.
2. No responsibility for maintenance or repairs
Renting a home typically means that you are not responsible for any maintenance or repairs. This can be a huge benefit, especially if you’re not handy or don’t have the time to take care of these things yourself. Instead, you can leave that to your landlord or leasing agent.
3. Potentially cheaper than owning a property
One potential benefit of renting a home is that it can be cheaper than owning a property. When you own a home, you are responsible for the mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and repairs. While some of these costs may be minimal when renting a home, they can add up over time. In addition, many landlords offer rent discounts if you pay your rent on time or in full.
4. No down payment required
A down payment is typically required when buying a home, but it is not required when renting a home. This means that you can move into a rental property without having to first save up for a down payment. While this may be a perk, it’s important to remember that you will likely have to pay higher rent costs overall.
5. Flexibility to move
Lastly, since you’re not buying the property and you’re just renting, whenever your lease is up, if you have one, you can choose to renew or start somewhere new. Think about it this way, when it comes to buying a home, you’re locked in for however long you took your mortgage out for, or until you decide to sell; this is why we say that there’s more freedom when it comes to renting.
Top 5 Cons of Renting a Home
1. You’re at the mercy of your landlord for maintenance and costs.
One of the major drawbacks of renting is that you’re at the mercy of your landlord for maintenance and costs. This means that if something breaks or needs to be repaired in your rental home, you’ll likely have to wait until your landlord has time to address the issue. In addition, landlords can charge whatever they want for rent, security deposits, and pet fees, so it’s important to be aware of what additional costs may come up when renting a home.
2. There may be more restrictions when renting.
One of the main reasons why there are more restrictions when renting a home is because the homeowner has more control over the property. For example, homeowners can dictate what type of pets tenants are allowed to have, how many people can live in the home, and what type of activities are permitted on the property. In addition, homeowners can evict tenants for not following the rules or for not paying rent on time.
3. The rent price can fluctuate.
It can be due to a number of reasons, including the location of the home, the condition of the home, how many rooms are in the home, and how long it’s been since the home has been rented. The rent price can also fluctuate depending on how much competition there is in the area for rental homes. Keep these things in mind when looking for a rental property!
4. It’s not a permanent housing option.
The answer to this question is no; renting a home is not a permanent housing option. This is because your lease is typically month-to-month, so you can easily move if your needs change. In addition, since you’re not buying the property, you can choose to renew your lease or move somewhere new whenever your lease is up.
5. You don’t have tax benefits when renting a home.
No, there are no tax benefits when renting a home. When you own a home, you can deduct your mortgage interest and property taxes from your taxable income. However, since renters do not have these deductions, they do not receive any tax benefits.
Homeowner Edition: Why You Need to Take The Time To Weigh Both Sides
It’s important to weigh both sides of the renting versus buying debate when making a decision about which is better for you. On one hand, there are some definite benefits to renting, such as the fact that it can be cheaper than owning a property and you’re not locked in for a long period of time. On the other hand, there are some definite drawbacks to renting, such as the fact that you’re at the mercy of your landlord when it comes to repairs and costs.
When it comes down to it, the best decision is the one that fits your specific needs and lifestyle. If you’re someone who likes flexibility and doesn’t want any long-term commitments, then renting may be the better option for you. However, if you’re someone who wants more stability and doesn’t mind paying a little bit more each month, then buying a home may be the better option.
The last thing you want to do is rush a decision of this caliber and end up making mistakes that easily could have been avoided. Remember, take your time, do your research, and pick the option that best fits your needs.
