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I grew up an orphan...even though, I've been able to save up around 40K..not enough for a down payment for a house where I live now, but kind of close.

I am 35, and made the crazy decision of being with a single mom..so there is a 10-year-old now.

I'm wondering if buying a house is essential..I've read a house is a forced savings plan, but I've started putting money into my savings on my own (automatic from my paycheck every month, and contract/teaching income, which is extra money).

Would I be alright not buying and just saving?

Thanks!

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  • Welcome to Money.SE! From a personal finance viewpoint, you don't really give enough information. Check out the rent vs buy calculator from this question.
    – Peter K.
    Commented Jan 3, 2016 at 22:54
  • Cool..thanks...seems like not owning a home is not the end of the world..it'd be okay if I did not ever...just saving is important...
    – Michael Cabus
    Commented Jan 3, 2016 at 23:00
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    @MichaelCabus, actually if you are just saving you are actually losing money in real terms. If you want to get ahead and build wealth you need to invest your savings, and property is one way of doing this, and can be quite rewarding if done properly.
    – user9722
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 4:00

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That is a decision you need to make, but some of the pros and cons you could consider to help your decision making include:

Pros:

  1. If bought at the right time in the property cycle and in a good growth area, it can help you grow your net worth much quicker than having money in the bank earning near zero interest.

  2. You would be replacing rent payments with mortgage payments and if your mortage payments are less than your current rent you will have additional money to pay for any expenses on the property and have a similar cashflow as you do now.

  3. You will be able to deduct your interest payments on the mortgage against your income if you are in the USA, thus reducing the tax you pay.

  4. You will have the security of your own house and not have to worry about moving if the landlord wants you out after your lease expires.

Cons:

  1. If bought in a bad area and at the top of the property cycle you may never make any capital gains on the property and in fact may lose money on it long term.

  2. If the mortgage payments are more than your current rent you may be paying more especially at the start of your mortgage.

  3. If you buy a house you are generally stuck in one spot, it will be harder to move to different areas or states as it can cost a lot of money and time to sell and buy elsewhere, if renting you can generally just give notice and find a new place to rent.

  4. Property maintenance costs and taxes could be a drain on your finances, especially if the mortgage repayments are more than your current rent.

  5. If your mortgage payments and property expenses are way more than your current rent, it may reduce what you could be investing in other areas to help increase your net worth.

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It sounds like you are doing great.

A couple points: You really need to crunch the numbers such as how high is rent in your area, and of course home prices. Home price gains are not a given. It will depend on many factors such as the job market in your area, crime, schools, how long you stay put,..etc.

If you take the standard/non-itemized tax deduction you might not save at tax time if you don't pay enough interest. Your decision to have automatic deductions from your checks was spot on; it is human nature to spend every nickle. Also, money in a savings account won't keep up with inflation. It will slowly degrade; you will want other investments. -Good luck

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    You call saving $40K by 35 doing great ?!?!?!
    – user9722
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 9:26
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    It's not that great..but I really started from nothing..no family at all, inheritance, etc...
    – Michael Cabus
    Commented Jan 5, 2016 at 1:07
  • I do of course have a 401k, value of around 150K, but I don't count that, as its for retirement...so I won't really spend it now...
    – Michael Cabus
    Commented Jan 5, 2016 at 1:14
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    @MichaelCabus, well that is why I would not call it great, I would call it an ok start to something that could be built on to become better, and it is better than being in consumer debt at age 35, but I would not call it doing great.
    – user9722
    Commented Jan 5, 2016 at 2:44
  • Well..it's no secret that wages stagnated, costs have risen..welcome to America 2016! It's better than the younger generation, most of whom had to live at home, not enough work, and have no possibility of things like home ownership..I hear this every morning on NPR...young people who say there is no possible way for them to save anything at all...every dollar earned spent on cost of living...
    – Michael Cabus
    Commented Jan 6, 2016 at 3:17

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