The Pros and Cons of Renting vs. Buying a Home

Taking up a place to live is a daunting task. As it’s a big investment in your future, you’re needed to go through so many things while making this decision. The very first of which is always, “Should I be renting a house or buying one?” So, before you take the leap of faith, you must first decide which option is best for you. 

Even though you need to consider a number of things before you make your decision, the biggest factor that will influence your decision is what’s your spending capacity. And given that both renting & buying have their own set of pros and cons, we recommend you to go through our list before buying a home.

Pros of Renting

There are a number of advantages to renting over buying a home.

• Renting requires less of an upfront investment than buying a home. When you rent, you typically only have to pay a security deposit, and your first month’s rent 

• Renting gives you the flexibility to move if your job or other circumstances change. 

• Someone else is responsible for maintaining the property; if there are any repairs that need to be made or any problems with the property, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to take care of them.

• If your job requires you to travel frequently or switch cities more often than others, renting will be the best bet for you as you won’t have to burden yourself with the responsibility of taking care of a property.

Cons of Renting

A few disadvantages to renting that you should be aware of before signing a lease. 

• You will never build any equity in the property as you would if you owned it. This means that you will essentially be throwing your money away each month with nothing to show for it in the long run. 

• With a rise in inflation every year, rent prices increase unexpectedly and drastically, leaving you struggling to meet ends. 

• No tax benefits related to renting.

• You can’t change the makeup of your house or apartment without the landlord’s approval.

• Your landlord can evict you anytime.

• You are bound to the terms & conditions of the lease agreement.

Pros of Buying a Home

• Equity: When you make payments on a mortgage, a portion of that payment goes toward the principal of the loan. That equity is yours—it’s like money in the bank—and as the mortgage loan is paid down, your equity increases. You can generally borrow against that equity when you need to, using a home equity loan or line of credit.

• Capital Appreciation: Historically, homes have appreciated at a rate slightly above inflation. Over time, this results in substantial gains in value. In some markets, appreciation has been significantly higher than the rate of inflation. 

• Taxes: Tax laws allow you to deduct the interest paid on your mortgage and property taxes from your taxable income. This lowers the amount of taxes you pay each year and increases your after-tax return on investment in your home. These tax breaks may change in future years, so consult with a tax advisor if you’re considering purchasing a home primarily for tax benefits. 

• Pride of ownership/forced savings plan: A home is usually a good investment—it appreciates over time and provides tax benefits—but it is also a very personal one. A great sense of accomplishment comes with owning your own home, and it forces you to save money by compelling you to make monthly payments (including toward principal) whether you feel like it or not! 

• Complete control: When you buy a home, you dictate the terms and conditions, and you are free to live any way you want to, you can renovate, keep pets, hang a boxing bag, etc.

• Privacy: You have your own personal space.

Cons of Buying a Home

• Longer-term commitment than renting.

• If you own a home and need to relocate, you’ll have to go through the hassle (and expense) of selling your home before you can move.

• Buying a home usually requires a larger up-front investment than renting, including the down payment, closing costs, and any necessary repairs or renovations. 

• There is the ongoing cost of maintaining and repairing your home, which can be expensive and time-consuming. 

• You may find yourself in a situation where you are “house poor,” – meaning your house consumes a large portion of your income, leaving you with little disposable income. 

• If the housing market dips, you could end up owing more on your mortgage than your home is worth.

What is better in the present real estate climate?

The decision to buy or rent a home is influenced by various factors beyond just financial considerations. Your plans for the future, career aspirations, and duration of stay in a particular area all come into play. It's crucial to assess your willingness to commit to long-term homeownership before making any choices. If you're ready to put down roots and establish yourself in a specific location, then it's advisable to start saving for a home. However, if you're still exploring your career or have a sense of wanderlust, then renting offers the flexibility to suit your needs

Ready to buy a home? Get one with Omkar Realtors & Developers.

If you’re ready to buy a home with one of the top builders in Mumbai, then Omkar Realtors is your best bet. Under the vision of Omkar Group Promoters, Babulal Varma the group has created residential and commercial projects that have set the benchmark for other real estate developers in Mumbai to follow. 

We hope that this article will help you in making your decision,