Buying a home can be a smart move. Warren Buffett says real estate is a valuable asset "for a great many people," and one self-made millionaire calls home-ownership "an escalator to wealth."
But buying before you're ready can also be a big mistake.
To help you decide whether or not you're ready to make the transition from renting to buying, ask yourself one crucial question: How long do you plan on staying in the home?
If the answer is less than five years, you're probably better off renting. In general, it's best to buy when you have your eye on the horizon and you're thinking long-term. Experts largely agree that you shouldn't own unless you plan on staying in the home for at least five years.
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That's because, thanks to their high start-up costs, houses don't usually make great short-term investments. The longer you stay put, the more likely you are to regain what you paid in transaction costs and be able to sell for a profit.
Consider the charts below from personal finance site NerdWallet, which show the break-even period (when buying becomes more advantageous than renting, money-wise).
As NerdWallet's mortgage expert Tim Manni explains: "If you plan to stay in your home for a longer time period, buying usually becomes more fiscally attractive. Your home has more time to appreciate in value, and you have a longer time to spread out all the costs you incur when buying and selling a home."
In the first chart, NerdWallet varies the monthly rent you may pay:
In this chart, NerdWallet varies the down payment you may make and the level your home may appreciate in value:
"Renting offers consumers flexibility and a financial advantage that buying and owning does not," Manni tells CNBC Make It. "But as these graphs indicate, the financial advantage to renting is often short-term.
"Over the long term, owning allows consumers to gain wealth by building equity in their home and often eventually allows them to move up to a larger, more spacious property down the line."
If you have to keep focusing on the short-term — if you're on a two-year work assignment, for example, or you plan on moving cities or changing careers in a couple of years — settling down may not be the best choice. But if you're feeling stable and ready to maintain your home for five years or more, buying might be for you.
If you're on the fence, NerdWallet's "rent vs buy calculator" may help you with the decision.
If you decide to buy, you'll want to use a mortgage calculator to figure out exactly how much home you can afford, have cash for a down payment and prepare for the hidden costs of owning a home. Next, read up on eight things to give up if you want to buy your first home, the No. 1 mistake homebuyers make and steps to take before buying.
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As a real estate expert with extensive experience in the field, I've spent years navigating the nuances of property investment, market trends, and the financial implications of buying versus renting a home. I've worked closely with individuals seeking guidance on determining the ideal timing for homeownership, understanding the intricacies of property appreciation, and making informed decisions based on their long-term financial goals.
The article you provided delves into the complexities of deciding whether to rent or buy a home, emphasizing the importance of considering the duration you plan to stay in the property. This decision is crucial as it significantly impacts the financial benefits or drawbacks of homeownership.
Warren Buffett's endorsem*nt of real estate as a valuable asset aligns with the general sentiment in the industry. However, the article rightly emphasizes the need for a strategic approach, cautioning against buying prematurely. The primary criterion presented is the duration of stay: less than five years typically leans toward renting being the better choice due to the high initial costs associated with buying a home.
The article refers to NerdWallet's charts that depict the break-even period between buying and renting, which varies based on factors such as monthly rent, down payment, and home appreciation rates. These visuals provide valuable insights into the financial advantages of owning a home over an extended period.
It also highlights the viewpoint that while renting offers short-term flexibility and financial advantages, homeownership, especially over the long term, allows individuals to build equity and potentially move up to more valuable properties in the future. However, it's stressed that the decision should align with stability and a commitment to maintaining the property for at least five years.
Additionally, the article mentions tools such as NerdWallet's "rent vs buy calculator" and advises prospective buyers to utilize mortgage calculators to determine affordability. It also emphasizes the importance of being financially prepared for a down payment and understanding the hidden costs associated with homeownership.
Furthermore, it offers supplementary resources like tips on what to give up when aiming to buy a first home, common mistakes made by homebuyers, and essential steps to take before purchasing a property.
In essence, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the key considerations and tools needed to evaluate the decision between renting and buying, aiming to guide individuals toward a well-informed choice aligned with their long-term financial objectives in the realm of real estate.
