Often called the cornerstone of the American Dream, home ownership has always been an important milestone of adulthood. The recession of 2008 resulted in a record number of foreclosures. Three million Americans foreclosed upon their home in 2008, an 81 percent increase from the previous year and a 225 percent increase from 2006. The post-recession economic climate (among other factors) has contributed to the delay of younger Americans becoming first-time homeowners. Despite the delay, Millenials still view owning as a superior option to renting. According to a TD Bank survey of 18-34-year-olds, 84 percent of those surveyed cited a desire to become a homeowner. Half of the respondents referred to purchasing property as “a vital component of the American Dream.”
Do you have mixed feelings about buying a home right now? Here is a list of seven reasons why owning a home is still a solid investment.
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Tax benefits.
The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home.
If you receive more profit than the allowable exclusion upon sale of your home, that profit will be considered capital gains as long as you own your home for more than one year. Capital gains receive preferential tax treatment compared to income tax. This means that even if your profit exceeds the exclusion, the taxable portion will be much less than you might imagine.
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Appreciation.
Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year from 1972 through 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The recent housing crisis has caused some to question the long-term value of real estate, but even in the most recent 10 years, which included quite a few very bad years for housing, values are still up 7.0 percent on a cumulative basis. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 10 to15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
Although real estate values move in cycles, housing values have consistently appreciated. The Federal Housing Finance Agency tracks the movements of single-family home values across the country. Its House Price Index breaks down the changes by region and metropolitan area, and you can track how home values have increased over time.
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Equity.
Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
Consumers who carry credit card balances cannot deduct the interest paid, which can cost as much as 18% to 22%. Equity loan interest is often much less. For many homeowners who have built up some equity, it makes sense to pay off consumer debt with a home equity loan.
While in the past, you could deduct the interest paid on home equity loans on your taxes, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 suspended the deduction unless you use the funds to buy, build, or substantially improve the home that secures the loan.6 Some state laws restrict home equity loans.
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Savings.
Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
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Predictability.
Unlike rent, your fixed-rate mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will likely increase.
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Freedom.
The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your lifestyle.
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Stability.
Remaining in one neighborhood for several years allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community. It also offers children the benefit of educational and social continuity.
The Bottom Line
Home ownership brings many responsibilities, and it's wise to make sure you're ready before you buy for the first time. But as you can see, it has a lot of benefits. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons when you're considering buying your first home.