Buying a House vs. Renting an Apartment: Which Is Better?

It’s an age-old question that confronts most Americans at some point: is it better to rent or buy a home? While the conventional wisdom is that buying a house is a better financial bet, that isn’t true across the board. If you don’t plan to own the home for an extended period of time, then renting might be a wiser financial decision.

Of course, many different factors go into deciding whether buying or renting a home is better: current interest rates, your desire for flexibility vs. stability, your savings, and housing costs in your market. What might be right for one person isn’t necessarily the best choice for another. An experienced Hillsborough County, Florida Realtor can work with you to help you determine if homeownership is a good choice for you.

At Eaton Realty, we work hard to help our clients achieve their real estate dreams - whether that means buying a home for their growing family in FishHawk Ranch or renting a great place near MacDill Air Force Base. If you're looking to buy or rent a home, we can help. Reach out today to talk to a team member about the current inventory in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Want to learn even more about buying a home in Hillsborough County? Contact us to speak with an experienced Hillsborough County realtor.

Is Buying a House Cheaper Than Renting?

It is difficult to say whether buying a house will be cheaper than renting a home or apartment. The answer to that question depends on several factors, including where you live, the local housing market, and current interest rates. For example, if you want to live in a waterfront house in Tampa, renting may be a better financial choice with how expensive waterfront property can be.

When you rent a house or apartment, you will typically need to pay an application fee, a security deposit, and the first month’s rent if you qualify as a tenant. Depending on your lease, you may be responsible for utilities like water, electricity, gas, and internet. Unless you cause damage beyond reasonable wear and tear, you will not be required to pay for maintenance and repairs.

Buying a home requires a much larger initial investment. You will need a downpayment ranging from as little as 3 to 5% to the standard 20%. Depending on the price of the house, this may be a substantial chunk of money. For example, if you buy a house for $300,000 and put down 10%, that would be $30,000. However, if you put down less than 20%, your bank will likely require you to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you reach 20% in equity.

You will also have to pay closing costs, which are all of the fees associated with obtaining a mortgage. Closing costs include a home appraisal and inspection fee, a credit check fee, origination fees, title insurance, a title search fee, and (if applicable) a transfer tax. While not required in Florida, we always recommend obtaining a property survey. You should expect to pay 2 to 5% of the loan principal amount in closing costs. In the example above, the closing costs for a $270,000 loan may be $5,400 to $13,500.

Lenders also expect you to have some money in the bank to pay the mortgage over the coming months. If the down payment plus closing costs will wipe you out financially, you may not be approved for a mortgage. You should plan to have at least two months’ worth of mortgage payments in reserve.

In addition to the upfront costs of homeownership, there are many ongoing costs. These costs include mortgage payments, PMI (if applicable), property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and homeowners’ association (HOA) fees if you buy a home or a condo in a development. In addition, you will be responsible for maintenance, repairs, and utilities.

In the short term, it costs quite a bit more to buy a home than to rent. However, over time, buying a house typically makes better financial sense – but only if you plan to stay in your home for at least five years. If you don’t intend to own your home for a minimum of 5 years, you will probably lose money on closing costs and other expenses.

When you own a home, you have the opportunity to build equity. If you buy that $300,000 house and consistently make your mortgage payments, you will own it outright within 15 to 30 years - which means you’ll no longer have mortgage or rent payments. On top of that, your home will likely increase in value over the years, so you can probably sell it for more than what you paid (especially if you made improvements and maintained it well!).

There are also tax benefits to home ownership. The IRS allows you to deduct mortgage interest which can cut your tax bill significantly. Plus, you won’t have to worry about rising rent prices if you have a fixed-rate mortgage.

Of course, even if you plan to live in one place for a long time, it may still make sense for you to rent. Many people can’t afford a down payment and other upfront costs and may also be unable or unwilling to pay for maintenance and repairs. In this situation, renting might be a far better choice.

Pros and Cons of Buying vs. Renting

If you’re considering whether to buy or rent a home in Hillsborough County, Florida, here are some advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Buying a House: Pros

Can allow you to build equity

Tax benefits

More stability

Can improve or upgrade your house as you’d like

Your home may increase in value over time

You don’t have to answer to a landlord

Buying a House: Cons

You could lose money if home values decline

Requires a lot of money upfront

The process can be lengthy and paperwork intensive

You’ll be responsible for extra expenses beyond your mortgage payment

Interest rates continue to climb

You will be responsible for any repairs or maintenance

Renting a House: Pros

Greater flexibility to change jobs or move

Limited or no responsibility for maintenance and repairs

No worry about interest rates or falling home values

Fewer upfront costs or paperwork

Paying rent on time can help you build credit

You won’t be responsible for property taxes

Renting a House: Cons

Your landlord may choose to increase your rent

Less stability - Your landlord may not renew your lease

You aren’t building equity

No tax benefits

Less freedom to modify your home to suit your taste

It may be hard to find a rental you like in tight markets

How Can I Decide Whether to Buy a Home or Rent One?

The decision to rent or buy is an incredibly personal one. So much depends on your unique circumstances, such as whether you plan to stay in one place for a long period, your job stability, and the cost of living in your city.

To help you make a decision, you should ask yourself the following questions:

How much can I afford in monthly housing costs (rent payment or mortgage)?

What are current interest rates?

Do I qualify for a low-interest mortgage?

Do I have enough savings for a down payment?

Am I able (and do I want) to devote extra cash to home repairs and maintenance?

Do I plan to stay in the area for at least five years?

Which sounds better to me: a long-term investment or flexibility?

What are my short and long-term financial, career, and family goals?

Can I afford the type of home I want in my preferred neighborhood or area?

The answers to these questions might change over time. For example, if you’re just starting out in your career, you may want the flexibility to move for a better job opportunity. Later in life, you may be ready to start a family and want to put down roots.

Ultimately, there is no one correct answer as to whether renting or buying a home is better. Although there are certain financial benefits to home ownership, there are many other things to consider - like your goals in life and whether you want the time and expense of maintaining a home. Before you make any decision, it’s a good idea to take a close look at your finances and speak with an experienced realtor about your options.

Ready to Take the Plunge? Give Us a Call!

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to whether it is better to buy or rent a home, and the answer truly depends on your wants and needs and your finances. If you’re looking for somewhere to live in Hillsborough County, Florida, Eaton Realty will help you. Considering buying a house in Tampa? Our realtors can help you filter through the available homes for sale and walk you through each step of the process. Want to rent a house in Tampa? Our realtors can walk you through any of the homes available for rent on our site. We have rentals in Valrico, Brandon, Apollo Beach, Lithia, Temple Terrace, Tampa, Ruskin, Plant City, Riverview, Dover, Seffner, Thonotosassa, Gibsonton, Wimauma, and more.

Our full-service real estate company assists home buyers, renters, home sellers, investors, and landlords. We have deep experience in the region and work hard to help our clients get the right home for them. If you’d like to learn more, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 813-672-8022 to talk to a team member.