Your home is probably the biggest asset you own. This is why you should hire a professional to guide you through all your real estate transactions.
Recently, Freddie Mac reported on the benefits of homeownership. According to their report, here are the five benefits that “should be at the top of everyone’s list.”
- Homeownership can help you build equity over time.
- Your monthly payments will remain stable.
- You may have some tax benefits.
- You can take pride in ownership.
- Homeownership improves your community.
Let’s expand on each of Freddie Mac’s points:
Homeownership can help you build equity over time.
Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. $5,400).
In a Forbes article, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Chief EconomistLawrence Yun reported that now the net worth gap is 45 times greater.
Your monthly payments will remain stable.
When you purchase a home with a fixed rate mortgage, the majority of the payment (principle and interest) remain constant. On the other hand, rents continue to skyrocket. Your housing expense is much more stable if you own instead of rent.
You may have some tax benefits.
According to the Tax Policy Center’s Briefing Book -“A citizen’s guide to the fascinating (though often complex) elements of the federal Tax System” – there are several tax advantages to homeownership.
Here are four items from the Briefing Book:
- Mortgage Interest Deduction
- Property Tax Deduction
- Imputed Rent
- Profits from Home Sale
You can take pride in ownership.
Most surveys show that a major factor in purchasing a home is the freedom you have to design the home the way you want. From paint colors to yard accessories, you don’t need a landlord’s permission to make the house feel like a home.
Homeownership improves your community.
The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled ‘Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’ The study explained:
“Homeownership does create social capital and provide residents with a platform from which to connect and interact with neighbors…Owning a home means owning part of a neighborhood, and a homeowner’s feelings of commitment to the home can arouse feelings of commitment to the neighborhood, which, in turn, can produce interactions with neighbors.”
Bottom Line
There are many benefits to homeownership. That is why it is still a critical piece of the American Dream.
Your home is probably the biggest asset you own. This is why you should hire a professional to guide you through all your real estate transactions. My goal is to help 24 to 28 families each year either buy or sell a home. I am NOT interested in Selling 100 or 200 homes a year because I would not be able to give each family the time, attention and energy they deserve. I would also lose touch with my past clients and would not be available to help where needed. I take pride in working personally and individually with each of my clients. Once you are my client, you will work me from the beginning to the end of the transaction. When you call, you will get me directly, not my assistant or secretary. I have been a financial and real estate consultant for the past 30 years and have specialized in loan loss mitigation, short sale negotiation and REO marketing since 2005. I know how to negotiate contracts and navigate through the most difficult transactions. I am a member of, and Certified by the National Association of Realtors as a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource, and Broker Price Opinion Resource. I am a Member of, and Certified by the California Association of Realtors as a Certified Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative Specialist. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert, Certified Short Sale Negotiator, Certified Pre-Foreclosure Specialist and Certified Default Advocate. For more please go to my LinkedIn Profile. Thank You!! And I look forward to hearing from you!