Maureen and Antoinette,

My partner and I are thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy right now, we are wondering if it’s a smart decision to buy now or if it makes more sense to wait it out. Your thoughts?

Bryan D.

Hi Bryan,

Happy New Year and thank you for the excellent question! This is a query we are hearing from several of our clients, and we are happy to share our opinions so that you can make the best researched and informed decision for you and your partner.

While the desire for homeownership remains strong, some prospective buyers are waiting for the volatility in mortgage rates to subside, as well as for a clearer picture of the 2023 economic outlook. If you’re in that position, we recommend that you consider not just what’s happening today but also what benefits you may gain in the long run.

There’s a lot of data circulating about how homeownership helps build a homeowner’s net worth over time. Sometimes people think about things like 401(k)s before they think of owning a home as a wealth-building tool. It’s critically important if you’re a young prospective homebuyer to understand how homeownership is another key way to invest in your future.

To help you understand just how much owning a home can have a positive impact on your life over the years, review what the data shows. An article from Bloomberg helps illustrate the gap in wealth between renters and homeowners. The difference is substantial, even when incomes are similar. Their graph shows that the net worth of homeowners is 4-5 times greater than the net worth of renters for U.S. households age 65 and older. In addition, homes often appreciate in value, which can further increase a homeowner’s overall net worth and homeowners can take advantage of valuable tax write-offs that aren’t available to renters.

If you want to begin to create wealth that will set you up for success later in life, it may be time to prioritize homeownership. That’s because, whether you rent or buy a home, you will have a monthly housing expense either way. The question is: are you going to invest in yourself and your future (pay down your mortgage and enjoy market appreciation), or will you help someone else (your landlord) increase their wealth?

Instead of putting your homeownership plans on hold, we urge you to reach out to an experienced real estate advisor to go over your options. That way, you’ll have expert advice on how to make the best decision right now that will generate the most profitable investment in your future. We would be happy to talk with you and your partner about what’s possible for you.

All the best to you in 2023!

Maureen Tess-Fieberg and Antoinette Embry Compass Mission Hills

DRE# 01217712 & DRE# 01305747 619-800-1103 [email protected]