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Can you really afford NOT to buy a house?

By
Real Estate Agent with The Judy Weinstock Team at Keller Williams Realty

Can you really afford NOT to buy a house?  If you are currently sitting in the "renting boat", consider the following ownership vs. rent example below:

Suzy has a $900 mortgage that includes $700 of interest.
Her total house payments are $10,800 annually.
At the end of the year, $8,400 (12 months x $700) is tax deductible in the United States.
She is in the 28 percent tax bracket, so her tax savings are $2,352 ($8,400 X .28).
Her actual housing costs for the year are $8,448 ($10,800 - $2,352).
So Suzy has built $2,400 in equity!

Suzy's friend James currently rents because he believes he "can't afford" to buy.
He pays $800 in rent each month.
His housing costs for the year are $9,600.
So, even though James thinks he's saving money, he actually spends about $1,150 more than Suzy!
And he's not building any equity!

Contact me to begin your NC Triangle area home search today!

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE $8000 FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER'S TAX CREDIT!  Contact me for details.

Posted by

Judy Weinstock, REALTOR®
ABR, CRS, GRI
MY FEATURED LISTINGS

The Judy Weinstock Team at Keller Williams Realty
1516 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
888 SEE JUDY (888.733.5839)
www.seejudy.com

Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Bravo, well done job of pointing out the cost of renting. Now is a great time to buy a home if you plan to stay put for a few years, the real question is what are you waiting for?

Feb 04, 2010 03:48 AM
Duane Murphy
Expert Real Estate Partners LLC - Appleton, WI
Broker- Owner-Real Estate -

Great examples Judy!  Yet there are people who still don't get it!

Feb 04, 2010 05:22 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

And those numbers only increase each year as more and more of Suzi's payment goes toward principle and the rent goes up for her friend.

Mar 15, 2010 03:38 AM