Owning a home means more responsibilities, but with a host of
rewards, including:
Investment value Monthly mortgage payments can be comparable to
rent - or even lower - and you're building equity in an
investment that can increase in value. This equity can be used
to get money saving home equity loans or as a down payment on
your next home.
Tax-deductible interest Rent is usually not tax-deductible, but
mortgage interest (including points) on your home usually is.
The mortgage interest deduction can dramatically reduce your
income taxes. Visit the IRS web site at irs.gov for more
information about deductibility.
Stable payments When it's time for renter's leases to renew,
they may be hit with steep rental rate increases. A fixed-rate
mortgage can banish unwelcome dents to your budget. A
fixed-adjustable mortgage has stable payments from three to
seven years, but starts at a lower interest rate and monthly
payment. Your monthly mortgage amount, excluding property taxes
and insurance, will be the same for as long as your interest
rate is fixed. As your salary increases, payments become more
affordable.
Freedom to be creative When you own a home, you can say good-bye
to the stale white walls and limited storage space of most
rental property. Bring on the paint, decks, customized closets
... homeownership can open up a whole new world and improve your
quality of life.
If you're unsure about your job or where you want to live,
renting may be the way to go. But if you're tired of the renting
lifestyle and ready to accept the responsibilities of
homeownership, it makes sense to buy sooner than later. Even if
the mortgage payment is more than your current rent, it's worth
scrimping for the short term to enjoy the long-term benefits.
For more information about home loans, visit our website and
learn more about financing options to purchase your first home.
About the author:
Bill Joy is a loan mortgage officer for
Sunshine loan
and mortgage services. Visit us at
http://www.sunshinemortgageservices.com/">http://www.sunshinemortgageservices.com/">
http://www.sunshinemortgageservices.com/ for loan and
mortgage and services.
