I’ve learned that most people prefer to learn by looking at something, versus just reading about it.  It makes it easier for us to understand the more complicated things.  Because of this, I created a visual graph to compare renting vs owning a home.

I tend to show my clients the long term benefits of owning vs renting, because most renters think short term.  I know I did when I was younger and renting.

Below is a link to a graph were you can visually compare renting vs owning, but you need to know the specifics of what I’m comparing.  Keep in mind, I used more conservative numbers, mostly because most of my clients are in Wisconsin, but in other parts of the country I know rent is much higher than what I’m using below.

 

Here are the specifics of what I’m using:

  • I’m using a current rent payment of $1000.  On a conservative approach, I didn’t assume any future rent increases.
  • I used a savings account balance of $10,000 that the renter has and the percent they are receiving in this account is 5%.
  • The purchase price of the home is $200,000 and a 5% down payment with a conventional mortgage is $10,000.  Exactly what the renter has saved.
  • I used the example of a FHA mortgage, because it has a lower down payment of 3.5%.

I want you to look at my most important tip that most renters don’t know when it comes to the long term benefits of owning vs renting.

Tip:  The rent graph (red) under “Net Worth In 15 Years” shows your what your current investment would be if you didn’t add anymore to the 10k savings, earning a 5% return.  I also set the property appreciation at 0%.  Most investors would agree to move your money to the one that pays you a higher return, even if it takes a bit longer.

Here is the link to the graphs.  http://mcedge.tv/16azqh

Also, the graphs under “Rent vs Principal Paid In 2 Years” is a realistic situation, because many renters will continue renting over the next couple of years.

I hope this helps bring light to renting vs owning, because I do receive lots of positive feedback that looking at graphs help renters understand the rent vs own answer in the long run.

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PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) is typically setup as an additional payment to your mortgage if you don’t have a 20% down payment or a 20% equity position when refinancing.  This additional payment does not go towards the principal balance or the interest paid on the mortgage.  It’s collected by the lender, because of the risk of equity position.

The only positive thing about mortgage insurance is that it’s tax deductible, but even that comes with limitations.  See here for more details about this.

How Single Premium Works

Single premium mortgage insurance is a percentage of your loan amount.  Your situation will determine what that percentage will be, because many factors are involved.

Example:

Your are buying a home for a sales price of $200,000.  The down payment is 10%, so your loan amount will be $190,000.  It’s a single family home, term of 30 years, fixed rate, and a 740 credit score.  The single premium percentage will be 2.7%.  Multiple that by your loan amount and the single premium amount is $5130.  (190,000 x 0.027)

This single premium amount is a one time cost, in exchange for no monthly PMI.

The Trick Most Buyers Are Not Aware Of

A conventional mortgage through Fannie Mae allows the seller to pay up to 3% of the purchase price in closing cost credits to the buyer.  Using the example above, 3% of a purchase price of 200k is $6000.  The single premium mortgage insurance is considered a cost of the mortgage loan.  If you are able to get the seller to give you a 3% closing costs credit, (which is easy right now in a buyers market) you have just avoided monthly PMI through single premium.

Avoid PMI When Refinancing

The single premium option is also available when refinancing your mortgage.  Using the same example above, instead it’s a refinance, your single premium is $5130.  This is considered a cost for the refinance, so you can include this into the new loan amount.  One advantage, since you are essentially financing the mortgage insurance, you can deduct the mortgage interest you are already paying, especially if you don’t qualify for the tax deduction on the mortgage insurance.

Remember, there are ways to avoid PMI even if you don’t have a 20% down payment or 20% equity position in your home.  These programs are out there, you just have to work with an experienced mortgage broker to help with all of this.

More Advice:

Fannie Mae HomePath Program Will Pay 3% Of Your Closing Costs 
How To Figure Out The Value Of A Home

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Work with Local Cash Buyers to Sell House Quick

April 25, 2011

Guest post by Melissa Rodgers. She is a financial writer. You can follow her on twitter @rogersmelissa42 When you need to sell house quick it is always advisable to work with cash buyers. And to make things faster you have to work with local cash buyers who are very much active in your locality. They [...]

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2011 Mortgage Programs For Home Buyers

April 21, 2011

These are great mortgage programs available for home buyers this year.  I keep up on the latest programs available and find things most bankers don’t realize are available.  These programs are available for all buyers, not just first time buyers.  If you have family, friends, or co-workers thinking about buying a home this year, it truly is a great time to buy.  [...]

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Fannie Mae Home Path Buyer Closing Cost Credit

April 11, 2011

Today, Fannie Mae announced they will pay a buyer’s closings costs if they buy a Home Path property.  A Home Path property is Fannie Mae’s inventory of homes for sale across the nation. Here are the details of the closing cost credit: Buyers and/or selling agents (the agent representing the buyer) must request the incentive [...]

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