Owning Beats Steep Rents Sometimes

Owning Beats Steep Rents Many renters would be better off buying a home than continuing to pay steep rental costs, finds a new study. The monthly payment on a median priced home is more affordable than the monthly fair market rent on a three-bedroom property in 76 percent of the U.S. counties, according to RealtyTrac’s Residential Rental Property Analysis, which encompassed 461 counties nationwide with populations of at least 100,000. Overall, Researchers found that fair market rents represented 28 percent of the estimated median household income, while monthly house payments on a median-priced home – which included a 10 percent down payment and property taxes, home insurance, and mortgage insurance – represented 24 percent of the estimated median income. “From a purely affordability standpoint, renters who have saved enough to make a 10% down payment are better off buying in the majority of markets across the country,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. Of the 461 counties analyzed, 351 had house payments on a median-priced home in the first quarter of this year that was lower than fair market rents on a three-bedroom home. Source: RealtyTrac Note: This study did not necessarily take into account the fact that a portion of the mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal on the loan, building equity for the homeowner--while the entire rent payment goes to the landlord. Want to see how principal reduction, tax benefits and inflation affects the comparison? Contact us for an example--and a free individual analysis. Mr. Will 904-298-3015

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