There’s no arguing there’s costs associated with owning a home. But the opposite is also true; there are also definite costs associated with NOT owning a home.
The benefits of buying vs. renting has always been a hotly debated topic, with most people believing that — at least in the short term — renting is more cost effective. But most people don’t consider the hidden costs of not owning a home and sinking all of your money into your rental. Here are four sneaky ways that not owning a home will cost you:
1. Your cost is never guaranteed
When you own a home, there are no surprises when it comes to your monthly housing costs. Once you lock in your mortgage, your payment will remain constant throughout the length of your loan (unless you decide to refinance in the future). The stability of having a mortgage gives you the peace of mind of knowing what to expect each month — and not having to worry about unpleasant surprises that completely throw off your budget.
When you don’t own a home, you’re at the mercy of your landlord; they can (and often will) change the price of your rent often to keep up with market prices.
2. Investing in home improvement is a lost cause
Everyone wants to feel comfortable in the place they call home — whether they own or rent. When you own a home, making the improvements necessary to make your home feel comfortable makes sense. Whatever you do to improve your home will only increase the value, making it a sound investment choice.
But when you don’t own your home, making improvements to your home is like throwing money away. If you paint your walls or hang too much art on the walls, you’ll likely have the cost of getting the property repainted deducted from your security deposit when you move out. Some landlords might not even allow you to make any improvements or changes at all.Continue Reading