Lately, I have been involved in a lot of conversations about owning a home or renting a home. In recent years, real estate prices have increased exponentially. In Greece, I have seen the sale of houses in 2022 increase by 40% and rent in some cases by 50-60%.Many people thought, ' Why pay such high rents when I can buy a house with an interest rate of almost 0% and have my own house '. When we first see almost 0% interest on mortgage loans, we naturally get blinded and think that we will milk the cow forever, but interest rates will eventually rise, and a mortgage loan is a long-term loan that we may have to pay off for 20-30 years depending on the amount of principal borrowed.
So there are two sides: those who believe it is better to own a home and those who believe it is better to rent. As far as I know, there is no one right answer; both have advantages and disadvantages.
owning a house
Pros
Owning a house builds equity over time as the value of the property increases and the mortgage is paid down
Homeowners have more freedom to make changes to their home, such as renovations or updates, without the need for landlord approval.
Cultural and family values, In Greek culture, owning a home is often seen as a symbol of stability and security, and may be considered a rite of passage for many families. Additionally, many Greek families place a high value on passing down property to future generations.
Cons
Homeownership can limit flexibility, as it can be more difficult to move or change living arrangements due to the costs and time involved in selling a home.
Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of their property, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Housing prices can appreciate over time, they can also depreciate. Nothing is fixed.
Renting
Pros
Renting have more flexibility to move or change living arrangements without the responsibility of selling a home or finding a tenant.
Renters are not exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the housing market, which can impact the value of a home.
Repairs and maintenance most of the times is the responsibility of the landlords.
Cons
Renters may be subject to rent increases when their lease is up for renewal or if the landlord chooses to increase the rent during the lease term
Restrictions on customizing or renovating the property
No equity
Iboth sides have good arguments, so it all depends on circumstances, needs, financial possibilities etc
I own a house and I think that it's better to own a house than to rent it.
You?
https://medium.com/@LeaxFoundation/owning-versus-renting-a-home-which-one-is-better-5625c18b9c39
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