Jeremy Wood, PhD
Real Estate
Investor, Advisor, and Agent
 

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Predicting New York

Strategies

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Buy or Rent?

You probably should buy if:

  • You plan to stay in the new place for 5 - 10 years; and,
  • You are able to buy the sort of place that makes sense for you.

Here's why:

  • Over this time frame, buying will likely prove to be financially advantageous;
  • Renting for that period will likely get old. If you're renting in a condo building, you'll be a kind of outsider, and you may be forced to move if the unit owner changes course. If you are renting in a building of rentals, you'll likely tire of the transient nature of the building population.
  • Owning gives you a feeling of security and stability. And it (not quite) guarantees that you'll be able to remain where you are.

On the other hand, if you can't make that kind of commitment, you'll probably be better off renting.

  • The transaction costs of buying and selling are significant;
  • Betting that prices will real estate prices will rise over a short period is a lot like speculation.

Buying or Renting is the big strategic question. But there are also lots of smaller, important strategic possibilities.

 
 

New York -- Charles Rutenberg Realty, 127 E. 56th St. New York NY 10022 212-688-1000
Pennsylvania -- CityService, 13 W. Butler Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914 215-822-8720

 

©2008