The impact of high inflation is evident in everyday life, with increasing prices for groceries, gas, and other goods. Renters, in particular, are feeling the effects as their rent continues to rise. Given these escalating costs and concerns about a potential recession, it's natural to question the wisdom of buying a home in the present circumstances. However, the answer is clear: it still makes sense to buy a home today. Here's why.
Homeownership offers a shield against the rising costs associated with inflation. According to Freddie Mac, purchasing a home not only allows you to build equity but also provides the stability of a fixed-rate mortgage that can keep your monthly housing costs steady over the long term, even as other expenses continue to rise. This has been particularly relevant in recent years.
While rents tend to increase over time, a fixed-rate mortgage payment remains predictable throughout the mortgage's lifespan, typically spanning 15 to 30 years. In a climate where the cost of most goods and services is on the rise, maintaining a stable housing payment becomes especially crucial.
On the other hand, renting exposes you to the impact of inflation. As inflation escalates, so do your monthly rent payments, as illustrated in the graph below:
By opting for a fixed-rate mortgage, you can safeguard yourself against future rent hikes. In a time of high inflation, when rental agreements are up for renewal, property managers may raise rents to offset the impact of inflation. It's worth noting that a recent survey indicates that 73% of property managers plan to raise rents over the next two years.
The stability of your largest monthly expense is a significant advantage of homeownership, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty. By choosing to rent, you forfeit this benefit and become less shielded from the rising costs around you.
To summarize, when facing high inflation and a need for stability in housing payments, having more options becomes crucial. Anthony Spitaleri and his team can offer a range of choices and expert guidance, assisting you in exploring various paths to homeownership. Connect with them today to learn more and discover the right choice for embarking on your journey towards owning a home.
