You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: this “home-owner advantage.” But do you know the actual financial benefits of moving away from renting?
Of course, there are some legitimate factors that can limit you from having a lot of choices. You may not have access to the money you need for a down payment right now – or you may have other financial obligations. But if that isn't the case, we wanted to take a couple of minutes to break down why you should buy a home (or seriously start saving so you can).
Equity
When you own a home, you build up equity over time as you pay off your mortgage. This means that the amount of “home you own" increases – and the debt you owe decreases. Other than working towards a completely paid-off mortgage, it also means that as your home increases in value, you’ll have access to more money should you refinance — so you could potentially invest in other properties and continue to build your financial wealth.
Stability
If you buy a home with a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payments will remain the same over the term of the loan, providing stability and predictability. In contrast, rent costs have gone up exponentially over the past few years, and continue to increase year over year. Plus, as a renter, you may be forced to move if your home is sold or if the homeowner or their family decides they want to move in.
Tax benefits
When it comes to buying a home or property in the Belleville/Quinte area, the buyer has to pay tax. It’s called land-transfer tax. Depending on the cost of your home, it can be up to 1.5%. But as a first-time home buyer, you are eligible for a land-transfer tax credit – which you can use on your purchase. It’ll dramatically reduce your tax liability, up to a certain amount. Here is a really helpful link to calculate your Ontario land transfer tax. If you have any questions about this, get in touch with us here.
Personalization + Community
Owning a home allows you to personalize and make changes to your living space without having to get permission from a landlord. You’ll also have the opportunity to put down some roots, get to know your neighbours and be a part of a community. Having a place that you truly call your own, feels different in so many ways.
Long-term investment
Buying a home is a long-term investment. We’ve seen the housing market take a lot of twists and turns (most significantly the boom of 2020) – but the long-term forecast of real estate tells us buying over renting is always a good investment. When you buy a car, generally speaking, the vehicle depreciates in value over time as you use it. Buying a home is different. It is the ONLY investment which appreciates even while you’re using it.
The difference between paying rent and paying a mortgage comes down to this:
- When you’re renting you’re paying your landlord’s mortgage
- When you own, you’re paying your own.
If you’re starting to think about buying a home, check out this article to learn more about the process.
