Reasons To Buy A Home

Pride of ownership: The number one reason why people yearn to own their home. It means you can paint the walls any color you desire, turn up the volume on your music, attach permanent fixtures and decorate your home according to your own taste. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It's making an investment in your future.

 

Appreciation: Although real estate moves in cycles, it has consistently appreciated. The Office of Federal Housing Oversight tracks the movements of single family values across the country. Its House Price Index breaks down the changes by region and metropolitan area. Many people view their home investment as a hedge against inflation.

 

Mortgage Interest Deductions: Home ownership is a great tax shelter and our tax rates favor homeowners. As long as your mortgage balance is smaller than the price of your home, mortgage interest is fully deductible on your tax return. Interest is the largest component of your mortgage payment.

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Property Tax Deductions: IRS Publication 530 contains tax information for first-time home buyers. Real estate property taxes paid for a first home and a vacation home are fully deductible for income tax purposes.

 

Capital Gain Exclusion: As long as you have lived in your home for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married couple of profit from capital gains. You do not have to buy a replacement home or move up. There is no age restriction, and the "over-55" rule does not apply. You could sell every two years and pocket your profit (subject to limitation) free from taxation.

 

Preferential Tax Treatment: If you receive more profit than the allowable exclusion upon sale of your home, that profit will be considered a capital asset as long as you owned your home for more than one year. Capital assets receive preferential tax treatment.

 

Mortgage Reduction Builds Equity: Each month, part of your monthly payment is applied to the principal balance of your loan, which reduces your obligation. The way amortization works, the principal portion of your principal and interest payment increases slightly every month. It is lowest on your first payment and highest on your last payment.

 

Equity Loans: Equity loan interest is often much less than credit card interest and it is deductible. For many, it makes sense to pay off this kind of debt with a home equity loan. Consumers can borrow against a home's equity for a variety of reasons such as home improvement, college, medical or starting a new business. Some state laws restrict home equity loans.