Fremont renters are often in a quandary as to whether it makes sense to continue renting or buy a Fremont home. Buying a Fremont home makes more sense, particularly when taking a long-term view. Yes, even in the current slow real estate market.
Renting – Advantages
Renting can have a few advantages. The primary advantage is your monthly rent payment may be less than an equivalent mortgage. A secondary advantage is the fact that maintenance and improvements to the property are the responsibility of the landlord. Still, these advantages pale in comparison to the disadvantages of renting.
Renting – Disadvantages
The disadvantages of renting are significant. If you have any opportunity to purchase a Fremont home or condominium, it almost always makes sense to do so.
The biggest disadvantage of renting is the loss of value. Assume you rent a residence for $1,000 a month and you live in the residence for two years. You will have paid a total of $24,000 in rent, a pure expenditure. The $24,000 is simply gone and you will have nothing to show for it other than the time you spent in the Fremont home. Compare this to what your landlord has gained.
Rent payments are closely aligned with a landlord’s mortgage payment. Using the above example, lets assume your $1,000 rent exactly equals the mortgage payment. For two years, you have indirectly paid the landlord’s mortgage, helping them build equity in the house by paying down the loan. In addition, the landlord has benefited from the appreciation of the property.
By appreciation, I simply mean the amount of increase in the value of the house. If the rental appreciated $20,000 in two years, the landlord has received a windfall. They may have seen a gain of $24,000 in appreciation and payments lowering the mortgage. As a renter, you have made this all possible. The landlord no doubt would like to thank you.
Now, what would have happened if you had purchased a similar Fremont home with similar financial figures? You would have seen an increase in YOUR wealth of $24,000, not the landlord’s wealth. If you’re renting, these figures should make your teeth grind.
If you are renting, you should be out shopping for your own property. After all, isn’t it time to make your money work for you, not a landlord?
Thank you for taking the time to read the information I have made available to you. This information is brought to you by your Fremont real estate expert Clyde Brown. If you are considering buying or selling property, planning to relocate, looking for Fremont homes for sale, or looking for any other information about real estate in the Fremont real estate market, or the surrounding areas, please visit the most complete website dedicated to everything real estate related www.ClydeBrownHomes.com.
If you or someone you know are in need of a competent and experienced Bay Area Realtor, or have real estate or mortgage related questions, please feel free to contact me I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me at 800-839-0665 or email me at Clyde@ClydeBrownHomes.com. For all your East Bay cities needs including Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, Oakland, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. Clyde Brown Legacy Real Estate & Associates.
