The benefits and downsides for 'forever renters'
UC business professors tell Business Insider that home ownership, renting both have their advantages
A growing number of people expect to rent their entire lives instead of buying a home, which presents potential benefits and downsides for these “forever renters,” University of Cincinnati professors told Business Insider.
David Brasington, PhD, James C. and Caroline Kautz Chair in Political Economy and professor of economics
Some renters haven't purchased a house because of affordability concerns, but others have chosen to rent to provide flexibility to move and to avoid home ownership costs such as maintenance and repairs.
“You have to calculate all the costs of owning a home, like maintenance and repair, lawn upkeep, insurance, and so forth,” said David Brasington, PhD, the James C. and Caroline Kautz Chair in Political Economy and economics professor in UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business. “There's also a question of financing. To rent, you have to come up with monthly rent plus a deposit. To buy, you have to come up with a down payment of 20%. It's also cheaper to change the place you're renting than the place you're buying because of real-estate-agent fees.”
Eunjee Kwon, PhD, assistant professor of real estate
While there are good reasons for people to rent, Eunjee Kwon, PhD, an assistant professor of real estate in UC's Lindner College of Business, said renters lose out on the ability to build equity that comes with home ownership.
“Home ownership is important because rent payments do not build equity, and there is always the potential for rent increases, making renting less affordable over time,” Kwon said. “Renters also face less stability due to eviction or non-renewal risks, especially in major U.S. cities.”
Featured image at top: The front of a house. Photo/rivage via Unsplash
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Ohio nurses weigh in on proposed federal loan rule
December 12, 2025
Spectrum News journalist Javari Burnett spoke with UC Dean Alicia Ribar and UC nursing students Megan Romero and Nevaeh Haskins about proposed new federal student loan rules. Romero and Haskins, both seniors, were filmed in the College of Nursing’s Simulation Lab.
Bearcat Mascot, Cheer Team and scholarships help celebrate Decision Day
December 12, 2025
Cincinnati media organization provided news coverage of Decision Day activities at the University of Cincinnati on Dec. 10, 2025. Surprise announcements of the 2026 Marian Spencer Scholarship recipient occurred during the day.
UC awarded nearly $1 million to help fight infant obesity spike
December 12, 2025
University of Cincinnati researcher Cathy Stough spoke with Spectrum News1 about a nearly $1 million National Institutes of Health grant awarded to UC to help prevent infant obesity through early nutrition support and family-based interventions.