Home buying has earned a bad rap in recent years: The subprime mortgage crisis and ensuing economic meltdown left many homeowners underwater, unable to pay their mortgage, and even facing foreclosure. Homeownership rates fell throughout the recession, and are currently around 66 percent, compared with almost 70 percent in 2004, according to the Census Bureau.
But the great American dream of owning a home appears poised for a comeback. Real estate company Trulia reports that in many parts of the country, rents are rising while housing prices are falling, making buying a home more affordable. Trulia found that in 98 out of 100 major metropolitan areas, including Detroit, Atlanta, and Cleveland, buying has become more affordable than renting.
If you're struggling with whether to buy versus rent, consider these 10 reasons to take the plunge into homeownership:
1. You can ramp up energy efficiency.
Energy-efficient improvements, from adding insulation to upgrading your air conditioning unit, can reduce your monthly utility bill, says Jane Hodges, author of the new book Rent Vs. Own. While renters can make plenty of green improvements on their own, from unplugging appliances to turning off lights, homeowners can make bigger changes, such as adding solar panels or installing an energy-efficient roof. (Of course, a renter living in a one-bedroom apartment likely uses far less energy than a homeowner in a three-bedroom house, so size can trump energy improvements.)
2. You can customize your space.
Whether you need to knock down a wall to make a larger master bedroom or redo the bathroom to reflect your Art-Deco tastes, owning the space you live in means you have the freedom to do so, without worrying about losing your security deposit.
3. Homeowners buy less furniture.
"Often when you're renting you need custom furniture that fits the space," says Hodges, such as room dividers for a loft or miniature furniture to fit into a basement apartment. "When people move a lot, they can end up buying a lot of furniture," she says. If you buy a home and settle in for the long haul, you can likely purchase a few pieces that will stick around.
4. Owning a home forces you to save.
The so-called "forced savings" argument is a widely-held one: Since homeowners have to pay their mortgage every month, they are routinely putting money away (and into their house, which they own), instead of squandering it on new shoes or fancy meals. Then, if you eventually sell your home after the mortgage is paid off, there's a good chance that "you'll walk away with a payoff," even after subtracting the costs of ownership, says Hodges. (Of course, homeowners who face foreclosure or declining home values often find themselves without such equity to show for their monthly mortgage payments.)
5. Homeownership allows you to build a second income stream.
From taking in a renter in a spare bedroom to renting out driveway space to commuters, Hodges says homeowners are increasingly finding ways to monetize their homes. In cities with scant green space, some homeowners even rent out small patches of grass for people who want to grow vegetables.
6. No landlord can kick you out.
Renters can face an unexpected eviction notice if their landlord suddenly decides to sell the home, rent to someone else, or otherwise end the lease. That's one reason Boston University economics professor Laurence Kotlikoff says that for older people with a fixed income in particular, he recommends homeownership (and a paid-off mortgage). "It's important for older people to be in a home that they own as security against a landlord," he says.
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