BREAKING NEWS – Hudson’s Hope and the surrounding area are under an evacuation order. Click here for updates on the Battleship Mountain fire.
Energeticcity.ca
Everything Fort St. John
When mortgage rates were at rock bottom during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was easy to argue the benefits of owning a home versus renting. In the past year, gas and grocery prices have risen while surging inflation has raised mortgage rates. As rates rise, renters now seem to have the advantage — saving hundreds of dollars every month compared to homeowners. But despite increasing mortgage rates, many still dream of their own home. North Peace Savings & Credit Union breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of this critical lifestyle question: should I rent, or should I buy?
ADVANTAGES OF RENTING
•As a renter, your monthly expenses are predictable and, in the Fort St. John region, rent is cheap, certainly in comparison to big urban centres like Vancouver.
• Renting allows you to be mobile; you can move as soon as your lease is up or you give one month’s notice. You have the freedom to move anywhere in the country for a new job or to continue your post-secondary education.
• As a renter, you won’t be spending weekends on DIY home projects, nor will you pay monthly maintenance. That’s the responsibility of the landlord or property manager.
• The disposable income that a renter saves in comparison to homeowners can be invested in GICs, stocks and bonds. This may well end up being equal to the equity homeowners have after paying off their mortgage.
•Renters can invest the money they would have spent on a down payment, monthly mortgage, maintenance payments and property taxes on a start-up business.
DISADVANTAGES OF RENTING
•The landlord may sell or renovate, leaving you scrambling to find new digs.
•Rent is going up. Due to the increased cost of borrowing, would-be buyers can’t get loans due to higher mortgage qualifying rates. This has increased competition for rental units.
ADVANTAGES OF BUYING
•Homeownership is a straightforward, long-term investment whereby you build equity while paying off your mortgage.
•High borrowing costs resulted in a drop in home prices by 18.5 percent from February to June, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.
•You can design, renovate and accessorize your home according to your own tastes.
•A home is a stable place to raise a family.
•A homeowner can make significant money if house prices rise.
DISADVANTAGES OF BUYING
•A homeowner pays “unrecoverable costs:” property tax, maintenance and the cost of credit, which is the cost of borrowing money. This amounts to about five percent yearly of the total cost of a home.
•Even if your home is paid off, you’ll always face monthly maintenance costs and property taxes.
•With rising interest rates, those who have variable loans or mortgages that are coming up for renewal will face higher monthly costs.
•If your career demands that you have to move outside the community, you’ll face myriad transaction costs associated with selling, from real estate commissions to capital gains and moving costs.
•A homeowner can lose a significant amount of money if house prices fall.
Want help navigating a plan that works for you? Talk to one of our North Peace Savings & Credit Union Advisors today! 1-877-787-0361
Report an error
Read our guiding principles
Ted is passionate about Credit Unions, having served within the co-operative system across Canada for over 25 years. Ted’s longstanding career began front of house serving Members, as a financial services representative with Island Savings Credit Union on Vancouver Island back in 1994.
Ted furthered his education and experience within the credit union system laddering into leadership at Kootenay Savings in Trail, B.C. where he served as the senior regional manager of retail sales and member experience. During this time Ted actively served the community, volunteering with the local fire department, a director on Regional District board and as Mayor of the Village of Warfield just outside of Trail.
In 2017, Tignish Credit Union on Prince Edward Island appointed Ted as their new CEO where he served as chair of the Atlantic credit unions’ CEO advisory board, chaired the P.E.I. credit unions’ CEO committee and became an active board member of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce where he participated in fundraising for the new Ronald McDonald House in Halifax.
In 2020 Ted made the move back west to be closer to extended family and recently joined North Peace Savings and Credit Union. Ted as CEO brings a wealth of credit union financial management and leadership experience to his new role.
In their free time, Ted and his family enjoy taking part in a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, mountain biking, camping, and riding horses, which makes the North Peace Region the perfect place to call home.
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Your support is appreciated. Everyone that makes a monthly or annual donation will receive an Energeticcity.ca Mug! Once your payment is completed, we will email and ask for your mailing address.
About Author
