Home Renting vs. Buying DC

1. Interest rates. If you do not have much money to be put towards a down payment, if your credit report is hindering your ability to secure a loan at a decent interest rate, or if your mortgage broker cannot get you an attractive overall package, it may be a good idea to wait until this changes. Typically speaking, the more money you put down at closing the lower the interest rate. If you think that, in the next year you may be able to muster up more cash, wait. If you think that your credit report has blemishes and you can clear them up in a year's time-wait.
   
   
2. Job uncertainty. If you are a professional working with a company that can, or does, transfer you to different cities in short periods of time, then it may not make sense to buy. Renting allows you the flexibility of moving at the drop of a hat. If you are a professional on the move, make sure any lease you sign is a "tenancy at will", meaning, you can leave on 60 days (or a different agreed upon time) notice. Breaking a lease can be expensive, so keep this in mind.
   
   
3. Traveling. If you are constantly traveling with your job; particularly overseas, you may want to consider renting until you find the place you want to settle in. Owning a home requires that you are around (or someone reliable is around) to maintain your property. Being an absentee landlord or owner can be stressful since you are never able to take proper and full care of your purchase.
   
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Author: Grace Bloodwell