Cheaper to rent than buy a house?

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Flubber


Ok . . . I may regret asking this but . . . so ?? Why does this matter??

I see both renting and working for others as acceptable alternatives . . Each involves less risks than than the other alternative and can have many benefits depending on a person's circumstance

Risk is only part of it. A lot of people want independence. They don't want a landlord or a boss.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Risk is only part of it. A lot of people want independence. They don't want a landlord or a boss.

True -- and they don't HAVE to have either

[Kidlicious]

I do.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kidicious
I do.

Why?? What PREVENTS you from starting your own business if that is really what you want to do?

I'm not saying you could necessarily do it immediately but you do have the ability to be self-employed if thats what you really want

[Kidlicious]

Oh don't start that nonsense again.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kidicious
Oh don't start that nonsense again.

In fairness, you are the one that brought your personal circumstance into the discussion by saying you must rent or you must work for someone else.


I just reject fatalism. I believe people can make a difference in their own lives.

[:) Smiley]

Though no individual person has to work as an employee, I doubt we would have a functioning society if nobody wanted to be an employee.

Homeownership on the other hand can be universal without side effects.

[Dinner]

i'm really not seeing how home ownership can be universal. There will always be people who make bad choices or who don't have the qualifications to get a high enough paying job to afford a home. Drug addicts who spend all of their money on drugs, the mentally retarded, and even just some lazy people won't ever save up the necissary capital.

The government can subsidize home loans to make them more affordable (as they do in the US) but then we'll hear more people claiming there is a housing bubble.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Smiley
Though no individual person has to work as an employee, I doubt we would have a functioning society if nobody wanted to be an employee.

Homeownership on the other hand can be universal without side effects.

All true.

To go even further, I would doubt that all people would desire self -employment OR home ownership. I have been self-employed and did ok but I like the security of employment. Homeownership likewise, there are people that can financially afford to buy a home that do not .

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Flubber


In fairness, you are the one that brought your personal circumstance into the discussion by saying you must rent or you must work for someone else.


I just reject fatalism. I believe people can make a difference in their own lives.

You live in a silly world. People generally already make the best decisions for themselves and no one wants to work or rent for others all things being equal. No one would pay more to rent when buying is an option and no one would work for others when it's just as easy to work for youself for the same pay.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kidicious


No one would pay more to rent when buying is an option and no one would work for others when it's just as easy to work for youself for the same pay.

Wrong on renting -- I know lots of people who rent because they will be somewhere for a short time or because its a smaller place where selling can take a while. Those people are willing to pay a premium to rent since its not worth the hassle or bother to buy. I'm sure you could find a price point where buying was a LOT cheaper that might entice them to buy but otherwise they like the ease of renting for a while and moving on without a lot of bother.

ON jobs-- you assume that " its just as easy to work for yourself for the same pay"-- That assumption misunderstands what it means to work for oneself in the real ( and not the silly ) world . It is very rarely as secure and guaranteed as most wage jobs. If you work for yourself and your biggest client goes under, you may not get paid ANYTHING.

And Kidicious .. . I am always amused when you claim I am in the silly world. I give that comment all the note it is due.

[Kidlicious]

No one wants to rent when all costs are considered and buying is just as cheap.

This conversation ends here. You are ridiculous.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kidicious


This conversation ends here. You are ridiculous.

Your argument is as reasoned as always

Originally posted by Kidicious

You are ridiculous.

Shucks and I thought we were becoming pals.

Originally posted by Kidicious
No one wants to rent when all costs are considered and buying is just as cheap.

Wrong--

1.People have other factors they consider other than purely money. Convenience is one obvious one. Why would a person bother doing all the steps necessary to exercise due diligence to buy a house in a place they don't plan to stay. Renting is less work-- If you say otherwise you have never bought a house.

2. Risk of a loss is not a "cost" but it is real and some people don't want that risk. You couldn't ever entice me to buy in a small fishing community in Newfoundland. Why? The chance of resale is so low and empty homes abound.

[Kidlicious]

...

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Oerdin
i'm really not seeing how home ownership can be universal.

I'll go further and say that it is unlikely you would find ALL people would want it to be universal. Some people like to be mobile and move a lot . . How fun would that be if you had to buy and sell a home each time?? How about seasonal workers, expats on foreign assignments, students ??

There will always be a market for rental properties and not just among those that can't afford to buy. There are rental properties in Calgary that go for 4000 a month . . . Does anyone think the people paying that rent couldn't buy a property if they really wanted to??