closing costs

Buying is Cheaper Than Renting in Most U.S. Cities

Home prices have taken such a beating and demand for rental units has increased so much that it’s now cheaper to buy a two-bedroom home than to rent one in most major U.S. cities.

According to real estate web site Trulia, buying was cheaper than renting in 74% of the country’s 50 largest cities in July. In just 12% of the cities, renting was cheaper. In the remaining 14% of cities, renting was less expensive but close to the cost of buying.

Factor in rock bottom interest rates and the tax perks of owning a home, and for those who can afford it, it certainly is a buyer’s market.

Should you rent or buy?

The buy-rent calculation is just one part of the decision-making process. Other factors include:

  • How long you plan to stay. If you’re not keeping the home for several years, transactional costs of buying and selling (e.g; commissions, closing costs) can wipe out any buying edge.
  • Whether you have cash for closing. It’s not easy to find banks willing to lend more than 80% of the cost of a home. That means buyers have to come up with 20% down, plus closing costs. On a $200,000 home, that’s $40,000.
  • Whether you can cover all the homeownership costs. It’s not just the mortgage: There are property taxes, insurance, heat, utilities and regular maintenance.
  • Whether you can claim the tax advantages of homeownership. Mortgage interest is deductible and can shave a lot off tax bills but this benefit accrues mostly to high income earners with substantial mortgage payments. Many borrowers claim the standard deduction on their taxes and so derive no savings from the deduction.

Even where it’s cheaper to rent, it doesn’t necessarily mean renters will come out ahead. Depending on where they live, renters may save on monthly expenses but, unlike the forced savings of mortgage payments, they won’t have anything to show for their monthly payments in the way of savings.

Ultimately, however, the decision whether to buy or rent depends on each person’s situation and their plans for the future.

Talk to us about the rent vs. buy calculations for your particular situation. We’ll help you determine which is right for you.

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Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.

Mortgages: Closing Costs Are Rising

Mortgage closing costs are on the rise across the nation and are up 8.8% over the last twelve months. Origination and title fees on a $200,000 home loan average $4,070 nationally according to Bankrate Inc.’s 2011 Closing Costs Survey.

Banks are requiring extra employment verification and the like to keep loans in shape for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and although these regulations “have been in place for a couple of years already, the mortgage industry takes them more seriously now. New forms and regulations that are still in discussion are influencing lenders already.”

Bankrate said, “On average, lenders charge about $1,614 in origination fees this year, up 10.3 percent from last year. Origination fees include lender charges for services, such as underwriting and processing.”

“Interest rates get a lot of attention, and rightfully so, but it’s also important for consumers to compare lender fees when shopping for a loan,” said Greg McBride, CFA, senior financial analyst for Bankrate Inc.

Is lending passing on a cost that should have been built in to start with? What do you think of the rising closing costs? Click the comment link below to sound off.

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Home and Commercial Inspections in the Columbia SC area is our specialty! Every year we help hundreds of clients save tens of thousands of dollars, by responsibly finding and exposing conditions that threaten property, value and safety. To learn how we may be able to serve you, please click and read, or call 803-261-5810.

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