Congratulations on your decision to buy a home! Whether you need a perfect place to make your own, more space for a growing family, or an investment opportunity, the home buying process is an exciting time. Our home buying and selling guide is designed to help you understand the processes involved to make your transaction go smoothly.
One of the biggest motivations for buying a home is financial. Buying a home is a sound financial decision for a number of reasons.
Accumulation of Equity
When you buy a house, your monthly mortgage payments mean that you gradually accumulate what lenders call "equity:' Equity is an ownership interest in the property that you can borrow against or convert into cash by selling your house. As a renter, you must continue paying rent to a landlord, without the opportunity to build equity. As a homeowner, your mortgage payments can help you create financial freedom for yourself.
Stable Housing Costs
Another advantage to home ownership is that mortgage payments can remain unchanged throughout the life of your mortgage. Renters may face an increase in rent payments year after year. With a mortgage, your monthly payments remain the same over the years as other costs of living increase over time due to inflation. As a homeowner, you have the advantage of knowing what your housing costs will be far into the future.
Increased Value
Houses typically increase in value, or "appreciate;' over time. It's not unusual to find a house that sold for $150,000 fifteen years ago to be valued at much more today. This increase in value, or appreciation, is like money in the bank to you as the homeowner.
Tax Benefits
As a homeowner, you will enjoy significant tax breaks that are not available to renters. The most important tax benefit of home ownership is that interest paid on your home mortgage is usually deductible. This fact alone can save you a substantial amount each year in federal income taxes.
Greater Privacy & Stability
Freedom to update and remodel to your specific tastes. Being in one place for extended periods of time creates a sense of community and opportunity for long lasting relationships with neighbors.