Guilty of renting!
Warning: If you’re fanatical about home ownership, or think real estate is the fast lane to riches, you may want to skip this post.
I’m sick of it.
I’m sick of the “oh…(voice drops) that’s nice” reaction when I tell my friends that I’m renting a place when I move to Portland.
Renting…..noooooooo! Oh the horror!
God forbid someone who is a semi-successful businessperson rent.
Is owning a home really the “American Dream”?
I hate the idea that the “American Dream” is owning a home. Seriously, what PR firm did the NAR (National Association of Realtors) hire to make that myth so prevalent?
The “American Dream” is having the option, the ability to buy a home. The freedom. Not the home itself.
Even with the madness of the real estate market the past 5 years, I’m still amazed at the number of people who will judge you because “you rent”. Good lord, get over it people!
I could buy a house.
I choose not too.
I’m good.
Great scene from “Up In The Air”
There is a great scene in George Clooney’s latest flick, “Up in the Air” between himself (a renter) and his future bother-in-law…from here
“Up in the Air” main character Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) touts the benefits of a mobile, possession-free and house-free lifestyle throughout the Oscar-nominated film. In one dialogue, Bingham’s soon-to-be brother-in-law, Jim Miller (Danny McBride), asks Bingham if he owns a home now that he’s not traveling for work so often. Bingham tells him “no.”
A stunned Miller then says, “But you’re looking?”
“No. Not really,” Bingham answers, unfazed.
“So, you’re just good?” Miller asks.
“Yep, I’m just good,” Bingham replies.
Throughout the film, Bingham, in his one-bedroom apartment in Omaha, exemplifies today’s “renter by choice”–he is successful enough to buy a home, but chooses not to because renting better supports his ideal lifestyle.
By contrast, Miller supports homeownership.
“We all need a place to call our own,” he says. “It’s what we were promised.”
~~~~
It’s this type of “well, this is what I was promised” mentality that got so many people into so much trouble with the housing market. Myself included!
At 22, I should have never been able to get the mortgage I did to purchase my home. It wouldn’t happen today, but back in 2005, it was easy as pie. Fax a few bank statements, a quick credit check, and bam! Here’s $450K! No money down? No worries.
I understand the appeal and I will buy someday
I understand the appeal of home ownership. The pride of ownership is apparent in many neighborhoods, and at some point in my life, I’m sure it will appeal to me. Just not right now.
In some areas of the country, buying a home makes a ton of sense in relation to rental prices. But when I can rent a place for 1/2…..one half! of what my mortgage payment would be…how can I justify not renting? Not every market is like that, but there are many where renting is so drastically cheaper, the stigma should really be against the homeowners!
We’re all different
Let’s say someone chooses to rent a small apartment, but could afford a nice 3 bd house in their area. With that extra money however, they take 4-5 nice vacations a year, often for a week or longer.
Which lifestyle sounds better?
Well, it depends. That’s the thing, we are all different. We all have different values, and desires and goals.
And not everyone’s goal in life is just to own a home. Plus, a home is just a space to create the real meaningful aspects of life: relationships
I’m going to create lots of great memories and relationships in my rental. And if I decide I don’t like the neighborhood after a year…I’ll move. No real estate agent needed.
So please, the next time you ask someone if they are buying a home, don’t judge them if they say they are “renting” because it’s really not a bad word!
Similar Posts:
- Always a renter be?
- When do you buy? When do you rent?
- Austin TX Home Builders build houses of the future
- Our network is the purchase of real estate Easy
- Find real estate investment listings in Milwaukee …
