Homeownership provides unique financial benefits. For example, homeowners can use borrowed money as leverage to reduce the amount of the down payment.
Owning a home is an investment that can create financial leverage for individuals or families through home equity, and the property can qualify owners to receive tax credits. Homeowners can also deduct property taxes and mortgage interest.
No comparable deductions are available to renters. Finally, when you sell the home, you can avoid taxes on a portion of the profit, which is called a capital gain. For singles, up to $250,000 qualifies for this exclusion.
The exclusion is $500,000 for married couples who file joint tax returns. Consider the following when comparing a home investment to a stock investment: If you put a $20,000 down payment on a home worth $200,000 that appreciates at 4% annually, the home will increase in value by $8,000 during the first year. This represents a 40% return on investment!
Stocks appreciate at a rate of 10% to 11% annually. However, the full value of the home as an investment property is evident when you look at the long-term situation. If you currently own or are considering owning a home as an investment property, you can’t afford to miss these lessons.