Is buying cheaper than renting?


While some are set on the great Australian dream of buying their own home, others are content with renting. And in unprecedented market conditions such as the ones we are seeing thanks to COVID-19, it can be hard to know what to do.

3 things to consider when it comes to buying vs renting.


Flexibility.

Want to live by the beach? Move overseas? Big kid gap year on the horizon? Once you have a mortgage it could be more costly to do these things. You might not have the freedom that you had before. With renting, you can usually just give one months notice to your landlord and the world is your oyster. 

However, say you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen, give the house a fresh paint, or build that walk-in wardrobe you’ve always dreamt of. If you don’t own the property, the likelihood of this happening is pretty slim (unless of course your landlord trusts your interior design skills).


Long term goals.
Purchasing a home can mean more financial security and stability. You’re paying off the mortgage to one day own your home, while building up equity. When renting, you are showing financial discipline by paying your rent on time every month but is it for your financial gain or your landlord’s? 

Depending on the market, state of the economy and how well your home is maintained - owning your own home could give you a financial gain if you decide to sell. Don’t get too chuffed, having a mortgage could also be considered a risk. If your property has decreased in value since you purchased it, it would result in a loss when you come to sell (as it’s worth less than what you bought it for). Meaning you have to find the shortfall from your own resources. So, renting could also be the way to go if you aren’t ready for a long term commitment to the property ladder. 


Cost.
Buying a home isn’t cheap. In addition to the property itself, you need to think about stamp duty, lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), legal costs - the list goes on!

At least when you rent, your landlord takes care of different costs for you, such as the maintenance costs which can stack up quite quickly. Houses don’t stay clean and pristine forever! 

When we look at the current economic environment - this could be a good time to consider buying. Interest rates are at an all time low. Some banks are reducing their Loan to Value ratio (LVR). If you are a first home buyer, there’s a number of grants and schemes available to get your foot on the property ladder.*


What’s next?

If you think that buying is right for you, getting pre-approval will put you one step ahead of the game. It will help you understand your borrowing capacity and get you an indication from a lender that they will loan you up to a certain amount.

  1. You can take advantage of the market.
  2. You are prepared and ready to buy at the auction, so you can bid with confidence.
  3. Sellers can see that you are a serious buyer. A buyer with a pre-approved loan is a much surer bet than someone who has yet to arrange their finances.
  4. You know your borrowing capacity so you can narrow your property search and find the dream home that you can afford.

I can help you get started today. I have access to a panel of over 60 banks and lenders so I can negotiate with them on your behalf - and do the legwork for you. Plus - it’s no cost to speak to a broker, I am paid by the lender you choose.


Disclaimer: *First home owners assistance is subject to terms and conditions.#Preapproval is indicative only of the amount a lender may lend. This information is provided on the terms and understanding that: Loan Market Group Pty Ltd, Loan Market Pty Ltd provide this information for discussion purposes only. Whilst all care and attention is taken in its preparation any party seeking to rely on its content or otherwise should make their own enquiries and research to ensure its relevance to your specific personal and business requirements and circumstances. Any refinancing is subject to lender imposed terms and conditions including but not limited to loan serviceability, valuations and confirmed capacity to service both any existing and revised lending arrangements.