THE PROS & CONS TO BUYING A HOME…

Purchasing a home will be one of the biggest decisions you make in your lifetime. Before taking the leap and purchasing one of the beautiful Calgary homes for sale, you should be certain this is the right choice for you and your family. Here are a few pros and cons to weigh before making the final call and putting in your offer on the home of your dreams.

Pros

• Investment – If you’re currently renting your apartment, you’re not building any equity – the money simply goes into someone else’s pocket. With a mortgage, you’ll make monthly payments just like with your rent, but you’ll have something to show for it at the end. If you have the money saved up for a down payment, buying a home can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the years and you’ll have something to your name that grows in value each year.

• Privacy – Rental units often come with the disadvantage of having no privacy. Unless you luck out and find a stand-alone rental home, you’re probably in a noisy building with other tenants or you worry about the landlord stopping in for intrusive inspections from time to time. With a home of your own, you never have to worry about the upstairs neighbors stomping around in the middle of the night! You can also paint walls, put screws in the walls, and renovate to your liking.

• Interest rates – With most mortgages, you’ll be locked into an interest rate, meaning your payment each month will stay the same for the life of the loan. When renting, you always run the risk of your landlord hiking up the cost of your apartment, or even selling the building and forcing you to find a new home. 

Cons

• Upfront Costs – Your mortgage may be less expensive than your rent, but you will be paying a lot of up front. Not only do you have to save up for your deposit, but there are also closing costs to consider, as well as factoring in for utilities you may have not paid at your rental unit.

• Responsibility – Owning a home is a huge commitment, and the responsibility that comes along with it can be stressful if you’re not prepared. You won’t be able to call your landlord to fix the toilet or a leaky roof – you’ll have to either learn to make house repairs yourself, or budget for unexpected maintenance bills.

• Mobility – If you’re unsure about your career or where your family wants to settle down, buying a home may not be the right choice for you. Unlike with an apartment, you’re unable to just pick up and leave if your job takes you to another state, or if you have to move because of a family emergency. With a rental unit, you have more freedom to make major lifestyle changes.