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How is owning better than renting?

I rent and it's nice to not worry about fixing anything. But people keep telling me I should own a place. How is owning better than renting?

Asked by Chase | Boulder, CO| 06-12-2023| 1,368 views|Renting|Updated 2 years ago

Answers (9)

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Barrett Henry

RE/MAX Collective · Tampa, FL

(6 reviews)
The biggest advantage of owning is that your monthly payment builds equity instead of building your landlord's equity. Every mortgage payment reduces your loan balance and increases your ownership stake. When you rent, that money is gone forever. Home values historically appreciate over time. If you buy a home for $300K today and it appreciates 3 to 4 percent per year, it could be worth $400K or more in ten years. That appreciation is wealth you've built just by living there. Renters don't participate in that growth. Your mortgage payment is largely fixed if you have a fixed-rate loan. Rent goes up almost every year. Five years from now, your mortgage is the same while your neighbor's rent has climbed 15 to 20 percent. Over a long enough timeline, owners are paying less per month than renters in comparable homes. There are tax benefits too. Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible if you itemize, which can lower your taxable income. Renters get no tax benefit from their monthly payment. The tradeoff you mentioned is real though. When you own, every repair is on you. The water heater, the roof, the AC, the plumbing. There's no landlord to call. That's why having a maintenance reserve is important. Budget 1 percent of your home's value per year for upkeep and repairs so you're not caught off guard. Owning isn't better than renting in every single situation. If you're not staying in one place for at least three to five years, renting may make more financial sense because the transaction costs of buying and selling eat into your equity. But if you're settling in and planning to stay, ownership is one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth.
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03-27-2026 (1 month ago)··
Amanda Courtney

REP Realty Group · Fort Myers, FL

(13 reviews)
When you rent, you are paying 100% interest—that money is gone forever. When you own, you are paying yourself. Equity: Every month you make a mortgage payment, you own a little more of the home. Stability: A fixed-rate mortgage payment stays the same for 30 years, while rent tends to go up every year. Tax Benefits: Homeowners often qualify for tax deductions on mortgage interest and property taxes.
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01-30-2026 (2 months ago)··
Lynne PruellSemi-Pro47 Answers
Lynne Pruell

Realty 100 LLC · South Barrington, IL

(16 reviews)
When deciding if owning is better than renting will depend on your financial situation. Owning a real estate property involves upfront investment which will include but not limited to, down payment, insurance, closing costs, property tax and the maitenance and upkeep of the property. Rent generally will requirements - good credit score, stable work history, 1st month payment, 1 month security deposit, if applicable pet deposit which is generally non refundable and monthly rental payments vs a mortgage payment. Renting does not give you tax write off as to owning. Depending on where you live, rental prices have gone up substantially over the last few years.
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06-17-2023 (2 years ago)··
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Tammi NicholasRising Star19 Answers
Tammi Nicholas

Epic Real Estate · Mustang, OK

(1 review)
Owning is better in the long term. It is an investment in your own wealth. Every month part of your payment goes toward the principle of the loan. This means you have more and more equity as time goes on. When the loan matures at 15, 20 or 30 years, you will own your home free of mortgage.
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08-10-2023 (2 years ago)··
Gitta Urbainczyk PANovice6 Answers
Gitta Urbainczyk PA

Gitta Sells & Associates Keller Wiliams Heritage Realty · Lake Mary, FL

(148 reviews)
It depends on your situation. Rents go up, whereas a mortgage payment is constant over the years and you build equity. The main question is, what is going on in your life today, buying might nor be in your best interest.
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06-15-2023 (2 years ago)··
Stephanie WyattNovice4 Answers
Stephanie Wyatt

LIV Sotheby's International · Greenwood Village, CO

(5 reviews)
It really depends? If you like building your own wealth then Yes owning a home is a better financial choice. For example, lets say you purchased a home in 2020 for $500,000. Your monthly payment would be approximately $3400. Today your home would be valued at close to $650,000. Where else can you put your money and earn this much! If you had to move out of state today there is approximately $150,000 in equity if you owned a home. If you rented the same home in 2020 and had to move out of state you would own exactly $0 in equity. Renting makes sense in some instances. It bridges a gap. But people that are truly financially well off own property. You never have to worry about the cost of your mortgage going up. Rent has increased approximately 15% in the metro area over the last 4 years. So...it really depends on your financial situation but owning always produces more equity in your pocket.
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06-19-2024 (1 year ago)··
Lawrence HemsleyNovice3 Answers
Lawrence Hemsley

Realty Point · Folsom, CA

(32 reviews)
Owning a home is a great way to accumulate wealth over time. Home appreciation is REAL. For example, in 2016, I worked with a first time home buyer who was in his late 50s but he had never purchased a home in his life. During the whole process he was worried about the initial cost of the home and a future dip in home prices. I explained to him several times that as long as he ls buying for himself to live in for the long term there should be nothing to worry about. He ended up purchasing a home for $326,000. Today we are in 2023, seven years later and he still lives in the same home that is now worth $526,000. His equity in that house is well over 40% due to appreciation and monthly payments made on his mortgage. Paying down the mortgage was like putting money in a savings account every month. If you ask me, owning your own home to live in is the single best investment a person can make, even in your late 50s.
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06-27-2023 (2 years ago)··
Katherina RamirezNovice2 Answers
Katherina Ramirez

Weichert Realtors Daher Companies · Methuen, MA

Owning could be better in the long term cost wise since you are building equity in your home as you pay it. Oppose to renting where the $24K a year ( just estimating off of someone paying $2,000 dollars in rent) goes to the Landlord instead on in you pockets essentially. But for those that do not want to deal with repairs, up-keeping, and a mortgage then renting is best.
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06-14-2023 (2 years ago)··
Charlie GruberNovice1 Answer
Charlie Gruber

Fathom Realty · Golden, CO

(3 reviews)
These type of questions are hyper specific and difficult to provide blanket answer. To run your own analysis take a look at below calculator I have to answer this very question that accounts for your specific situation. Reach out with questions: https://fidelityagent.com/calc/TnprME16VTVAOTMwNDNAc2hhcmVkQDEuMw==
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05-15-2025 (11 months ago)··
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