7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home
Tax Breaks
The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
Appreciation
Appreciation represents the increase in home values over time. Real estate prices are cyclical, and homeowners shouldn’t expect the property’s value to increase dramatically in the short-term. But if you stay in your home long enough, there’s a very good likelihood you will be able to sell your home for a profit because of appreciation in the future.
The cumulative appreciation rate over the past ten years has been 35.40%, which ranks in the top 30% nationwide. This equates to an annual average Indianapolis house appreciation rate of 3.08% (source: Neighborhood Scout).
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.
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.
Predictability
Unlike rent, your fixed-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 increase.
Freedom
The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
Stability
Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.
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