Careful…Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap!

There are many benefits to homeownership. One of the top benefits is being able to protect yourself from rising rents by locking in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage.

Don’t Become Trapped 

Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at realtor.com, reported on what he calls a “Rental Affordability Crisis.” He warns that,

“Low rental vacancies and a lack of new rental construction are pushing up rents, and we expect that they’ll outpace home price appreciation in the year ahead.”

In the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University’s 2016 State of the Nation’s Housing Report, they revealed that “The number of cost-burdened households rose to 21.3 million. Even more troubling, the number with severe burdens (paying more than 50% of income for housing) jumped to a record 11.4 million.” These households struggle to save for a rainy day and pay other bills, such as food and healthcare.

It’s Cheaper to Buy Than Rent 

In Smoke’s article, he went on to say,

“Housing is central to the health and well-being of our country and our local communities. In addition, this (rental affordability) crisis threatens the future value of owned housing, as the burdensome level of rents will trap more aspiring owners into a vicious financial cycle in which they cannot save and build a solid credit record to eventually buy a home.”

“While more than 85% of markets have burdensome rents today, it’s perplexing that in more than 75% of the counties across the country, it is actually cheaper to buy than rent a home. So why aren’t those unhappy renters choosing to buy?”

Know Your Options

Perhaps you have already saved enough to buy your first home. HousingWire reported that analysts at Nomura believe:

“It’s not that Millennials and other potential homebuyers aren’t qualified in terms of their credit scores or in how much they have saved for their down payment. 

It’s that they think they’re not qualified or they think that they don’t have a big enough down payment.” (emphasis added)

Many first-time homebuyers who believe that they need a large down payment may be holding themselves back from their dream home. As we have reported before, in many areas of the country, a first-time home buyer can save for a 3% down payment in less than two years. You may have already saved enough!

Bottom Line

Don’t get caught in the trap so many renters are currently in. If you are ready and willing to buy a home, find out if you are able. Let’s get together to determine if you can qualify for a mortgage now!  Give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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Sort by: Select Price, Low to High Price, High to Low Newer Listings First Older Listings First Open House Date

9437 E Spiral Avenue Mesa, AZ 85212

New

$459,990

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,377 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6694633

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

This adorable cozy home offers 3 large bedrooms with our Roosevelet Premium Palette, including a stainless gas range, dishwasher, and microwave with granite kitchen counters Tile floors in all the main living areas with upgraded carpet in the bedrooms. Many upgrades in plumbing and electrical bring this homes design together for a lovely home to move into. This home also offers a large four panel slider to the back patio. Stop by today to see why Eastmark is the #1 place to call home.

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11230 W Marguerite Avenue Tolleson, AZ 85353

New

$459,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,192 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6695667

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Below Market Financing Available!!!!!!!!!!! This single-story home features three secondary bedrooms off of the foyer, one with its own en-suite bathroom making it ideal for guests. The open layout encompasses the kitchen, dining and Great Room creating a spacious living area. Off the Great Room is the owner's suite which boasts a spa-inspired bathroom with a large walk-in closet. The covered courtyard and rear covered patio provide plenty of outdoor living opportunities. Photos are renderings of a model home, not the actual home.

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41090 W Haley Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138

$459,990

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,987 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6594869

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

QUICK MOVE-IN!!! It's our beautiful Belice - 3 bedrooms + flex space, 2 baths and a 3 car tandem garage. 12'x8' sliding glass door off the extended covered patio. Large walk in shower at owner's bath with EMS Casino Ice gloss in a 4x16 tile at shower surrounds . Stainless steel gas appliance package with undermount single bowl sink. Winstead Maple ''Cafe'' stained cabinets through out the home with 42'' kitchen uppers and rollouts at pantry. Himalaya white granite countertops in kitchen and on the enhanced kitchen island. Kitchen backsplash has a 4x16 Ice Matte tile. Flooring includes EMS 12x24 Baccarat Astra tile in all the areas of the home except beds/closets. Dual sinks at bath 2. Two-tone interior paint ''Agreeable Gray'', soft water loop and so much more. Seller to write contract and to verify all information with onsite agents. Water Company is Santa Cruz Water Company and Sewer is Palo Verde Utilities Company.

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1263 E Palo Verde Drive Casa Grande, AZ 85122

$459,990

5 Beds

3 Baths

2,549 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6637959

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

If you're looking for a ranch style, true 5 bedroom split floorplan, in Casa Grande, AZ then look no further! This home, built in 2018, consists of 5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a 2 car garage and sits on a corner lot 8,448 sqft in size. It has a very spacious backyard with lots of citrus trees and even a large covered patio for those fall, winter and spring nights you may want to enjoy the Arizona weather. This home has had only one owner and has been kept in meticulous condition. There is surround sound throughout and even a multi-camera owned security system and it's all located within the Cottonwood Ranch community of Casa Grande.

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