Renting vs buying: Is it true that buying is more stress, work and money than renting?

Question

Fireguy17 · Accepted Answer

I have seen what rents are in our area, now granted we had a fairly large down payment, and I bought the lot and paid that off before I built this house, but our house payment is less than most of the crappy apartments in our village, and with housing prices going up our house after just over 2 years is worth quite a bit more than we have in it.
The pluses to home ownership are that it is yours, you are not just handing someone money every month, you are building equity, as you get older the payments are easier to make, it will be worth much more aka equity when you decide to either move up, or move somewhere else, with an apartment your rent just keeps going up with no return.
I own a commercial building and the tenants paid for it, and now that it is paid off it is income producing, and has at least doubled in value since I bought it, you get to deduct the interest on a home loan.
The downside to owning a home are coming up with the down payment, the payments can seem steep at first, they are more work than an apartment, if something breaks you get to repair and pay for it, and there are other pluses and minuses.
You need to weigh them out, some people are happy in an apartment, but try to find an apartment with a 6 car + garage and see what the neighbors think if you are working on your car/bike/truck whatever late at night.

LordOfThePines · Accepted Answer

Renting is the worst. I am at the whim of my homeowner, who can have me homeless in a month, my rent can be increased with the market or inflation upon contract renewal annually, despite what the picture said I do have repair responsibilities for certain appliances, floors, walls, fences and ceilings, I can't make any changes to it or the property without written prior permission which means I currently have a large wall mounted entertainment shelf that I cannot get rid of. Buying a home is stressful for sure, but it pays off in the long run. Where I live, a mortgage for a house the size I live in, is $75 less than my current rent.

Aerissa_Jade · Accepted Answer

Ironically around here, rent is usually more than a mortgage payment, at least in the past with the lower interest rates, not sure about right now. Not by much though, cause people buy houses then rent them for the cost of the monthly payment and a bit more to cover maintenance.

For example someone is renting a house for $1200 a month, small house but the mortgage payment the owner has is a $1000 this is to cover expenses, things like AC furnace, hiring people to fix stuff.

Profit margins on rental units is not that high, unless someone owns it outright, which is very rare.

Renting is safer though, no unexpected suddenly, oh shit moments when my water heater died or the AC or furnace and you have to spend 5k+ to get it fixed or replaced, no new roofs, or other expenses.

Buying, you might end up making a lot if you sell later if values go up, but you might also end up underwater. It is a risk to consider.

I personally like owning, so I can have loud music and not bug neighbors, and put holes in my walls if I want to hang stuff without losing my deposit.

Prettygurl12 · Accepted Answer

Yes and no. When you buy a home then you are responsible for paying for all the maintenance and repairs. When you rent then your landlord is responsible for that.

But when you own then every mortgage payment and improvement you make will increase the value of the house and decrease the loan therefore increasing your networth.

Ian69 · Answer

I bought my property by, what is called ‘Shared ownership’. Which means you rent a percentage and mortgage the rest. As time goes on, you can buy more of the property, (if you want to) usually in 25% increments, until eventually you own the property as I do now. This was an easy and less stressful way to buy a property, as I live by myself and only have my income to pay bills.

The_Shadow_Dweller · Answer

If you are a first generation buyer, then it is only you who has to suffer. Because the real enjoyment from the house you bought is taken by your kids and the subsequent generations.

But if you already have a house that your family bought before you, then you have the freedom of living on rent or taking decisions as per your need, as you already have something to tether to at the end of the day.

AviatorTom · Answer

Buying is more stressful, yet it's rewarding... when you move in you know that it's yours. Yes, it takes more money because buying requires a sizeable amount of money upfront (at least 10% of the purchase price, sellers like 20% or more) whereas renting typically requires just a few months of rent as a security deposit.

Anonymous · Answer

The buying process is more rigorous but once bought, you have no landlord to answer to or ask permission, or to chuck you it for no good reason.
It also means your whiney neighbors need to deal with you rather than complain to your landlord.
Buy if you can. Financially you'll thank yourself down the line.

Gooddaze · Answer

It even a question. You buy. I am not wasting my money making someone else rich. I am in the process now of moving no stress. It’s what you make it. But never will I rent. Waste of money. Real estate is the only thing that is a good return on investment right now.

Makeushiver · Answer

Buying is more stress. I live near SF, CA in one of the most expensive plavvces to live in the world Marin County. A 3 BR 2Ba home costs about $5,000./month to rent the same hime purchased is usually well over a million dollars

jimmy2 · Answer

Right now don't buy prices are 3x then normal so let the housings bubble burst then go buy

RavVid · Answer

It is just the first 10 years that are hard - a little like prison. But you have to maintain...

TroyDT2 · Answer

Renting lets you relocate more easily and seize opportunities more quickly. Also if you are shrewd you can make more on investments, even sans the tax breaks, than owning a home will earn.

DJB72 · Answer

If you can buy then do. Rent is dead money. Rather invest in property. Equity pays off. Rent puts money in someone else's pocket.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Buying is stressful, but it is worth it in the long run.

Iron_Man · Answer

If you rent your completely throwing your money away because when you leave, you have nothing to show for and when you own a house, you can sell it and double your profit or even triple it

nawtee_me · Answer

When buying what you are paying on belongs to you and will eventually be paid off. What you rent even after twenty years does not belong to you but if you were buying it could be yours.

Anonymous · Answer

Buying is almost always stressful, especially now when prices are so high and mortgage rates are super high. I'm glad I bought mine before the real estate boom while rates were still low.

Guardian45 · Answer

Yes, Buying is more stress, work and money than Renting.

Summeroflove · Answer

I think it depends on your wants and needs

Bethany22 · Answer

I vote b

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