For many Singaporeans, we've been ingrained to think that buying a home is the ultimate arbiter of success as a grown-up. You might feel that ‘you’ve made it’ in life once you've settled down and gotten hold of your dream home. Show
But the truth is, buying a home might not be the best option for every individual. Buying a home in Singapore can entail a great deal of paperwork and major financial commitments that go into paying off your mortgage, property taxes, renovations and maintenance. It's not everyone's cup of tea. So if you're considering your next move, here are 5 reasons why renting isn’t necessarily bad and could be a better decision than buying a home. 1. Renting Provides For Better Cash Flow
In comparison to a rental deposit of one to two months' rent, this leaves you with more cash on hand to invest in other aspects of your life. For example, funding your business idea, starting an investment account, heading back to school, the possibilities are endless. To top it all off, setting aside a sum of cash for emergency household expenses is necessary. Also, for those who prefer to have more cash on hand, renting a place that's fully-furnished and move-in ready presents as an option. 2. Renting Can Be Less Financially Straining Than OwningOn-going costs like property taxes, monthly mortgage, and home maintenance can be more manageable once the initial payments (downpayment, renovation and furnishing) are out of the way. However, it is important to remember that you have to bear this cost for the next 20 to 30 years (depending on your mortgage duration). That's cash you have to set aside even if you choose to rent out your space for passive income. You should also take into account the possibility of depending on the economic climate. For example, the recent cooling measures like the lowering of loan-to-value (LTV) limit and higher interest rates floor. This uncertainty of new measures that changes your loan amount may cause you to fork out more than what you had previously budgeted. Renting is financially freeing because you only pay for a fixed rent, utilities, and in some cases Wi-Fi, for the length of your lease. Knowing that these costs are the only ones you really have to bother with, is less straining (and stressful) in itself. Alternatively, you may choose to rent from Hmlet that comes with an all-inclusive rent (fully furnished and Wi-Fi included). 3. Renting Offers You More Flexibility On LocationDuring the selection process itself, your location is restricted based on what you can afford to buy. Some of these areas might be located further from your workplace, your family, religious community, and even preferred entertainment spots. To add, once you buy a home you're locked in for at least three or five years depending on your property type. Yes, there’s always the option to sell and move back with your parents or upgrade to your dream location, but this process is tedious and not to mention, costly. However, if you decide to rent, you can move freely and live in the different neighbourhoods in Singapore from Tiong Bahru to Joo Chiat, or wherever that suits your lifestyle and monthly budget. Additionally, if migrating is on the table or you plan to move from cities once every few years, renting would buy you the freedom to move wherever life takes you. 4. Renting Makes It Easier To Move Away From Toxic NeighboursThis may not be something that comes to mind when you think about renting or buying a home, but something significant enough to affect your quality of life over time. We’re sure that you’ve probably heard of many horror stories involving nasty neighbours and the lengths they would go to inconvenience others. Should you buy a house and are ‘lucky’ enough to meet such neighbours, you would not be able to move out as easily as you would like to.Renting gives you more flexibility to move away from the toxic environment and to a place that gives you a peace of mind. To avoid these unnecessary awkward encounters, at Hmlet we have a dedicated Member Experience team that you can reach out to if you find that your flatmate isn't a good match and you are provided with the option to test out other properties. Quiz Night community event at Hmlet Portofino5. Renting Removes The Worry Of Home DepreciationIt's sometimes tempting to hop onto the bandwagon and buy real estate as an investment, especially during good times. Having your own home has its perks as you can rely on it as an asset to weather you through external circumstances like inflation. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and the current global economic situation due to COVID-19, your home might not be valued as much as you wish it would. It could be the case that your home value might even be less than your existing financial obligations due to inflation. Perhaps not having to worry about this will make space for you to spend your time and energy looking at other forms of investments. Buying a house might provide you with that sense of home ownership, but despite the huge financial spends, you only own it for up to 99 years (unless it's freehold) whether you buy a private property or a home from the Housing Development Board (HDB). If you crave more financial freedom and flexibility to pursue your family, personal or career goals, renting a home can allow you to obtain your desired lifestyle. Renting doesn't tie you down to a particular property for the long haul, and you have the freedom and flexibility to move and live in your desired location with the perks of modern-day accessible living. If you're a:
Of course, this doesn’t imply that buying a home is dated or bad, the point is, to pick the option that best suits your lifestyle and budget. So, if a fully-furnished home or room in a co-living space, flexible lease and forming meaningful connections sounds like your next dream home, then stay with Hmlet today! Tags
Team HmletPutting together the best reads for you. If you'd like to share your thoughts and ideas or collaborate, drop us an email at [email protected]. What are the disadvantages of living in a condo?Cons of Condominium Ownership. You may not be able to decide when maintenance and repairs get done.. You may have to pay for amenities that you might never or rarely use.. Less privacy in some condominium units and possibly more noise.. Possibility of special assessment charges for unexpected repairs.. Is condo still a good investment?Condos have been proven to be a great option for investors looking for investment opportunities with minimal upkeep needs, especially in comparison to single-family homes which tend to require frequent upgrades and maintenance. Investors should be aware of the options.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a condo?Pros and Cons of Buying a Condo. |