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
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