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To Buy A House, Or Not?
Whether or not you choose to be minimalist, eventually you may find yourself asking this question. On the one hand you’ve got the minimalist who travels and only carries a backpack. On the other hand you have the minimalist who enjoys a life on the farm, tending to their own land, and living only with what they need. Of course, there’s the minimalists in between. The ones who enjoy apartment living and renting, and may live in a one bedroom with children, pets, and spouses. As you can see – there’s a wide range of choices here for which direction you can take.
My mother, for instance, bought a house. She’s more on the spectrum of farm living (with 4 horses and a garden, I call it a farm – 🙂 she may disagree). While I live in a 1948 rented house in the city, with only one bathroom (which can be a pain sometimes when both myself and my SO need to go). We are strong believers that what fits for some will not fit for all, and you need to make the decision that will bring you happiness. Our blog may be about minimalism, but it’s also about simplicity and happiness. Of course, minimalism will not be for everyone, but happiness should be.
If you find yourself approaching the question on whether or not you should own a home, take it easy, don’t stress over the decision. We’ve weighed the pros and cons of renting versus buying (keeping simple living in mind) below.
Renting |
Buying |
| All inclusive – when it comes to maintaining the property, no worries here, but there are restrictions on what you can do to the property. | Freedom to modify your home – make the changes you would like, but keep in mind the expenses. |
| Freedom to roam – you can opt for the traditional 12 month lease, or find one month to month, giving you the ability to roam. | Always a place to return to – there’s no guarantee with renting, but when you buy you know you have a place to return to. |
| No taxes or fees – rent is it, you do not pay property taxes or home association fees. Some locations may require you to have renters insurance. | Fixed rates and low mortgage payments – renting can be unpredictable, your landlord can raise the monthly price anytime. |
| Pet friendly can be hard to find – many homeowners and rental companies are against renting to pet owners. This is good for those who do not want to live somewhere there are pets, but bad for those who do. | No restrictions for pets – in most places that is. You may have a home association with restrictions, but the majority of homes have none. And you have the freedom to have more than 1, 2, or 3 (which is the limit for most apartments). |
| Smoke free locations – another pro/con mix here. If you’re dead set against smoking, most apartment complexes have a no smoking rule. | No restrictions for smoking – again, in most places. This is a pro for those who smoke, but a con for those who do not. |
| Free security – many apartment complexes offer gated communities or on-site security, free of charge. This limits the amount of unwelcomed guests, and offers you peace of mind when you’re away. | Unlimited visitors – one thing you have to watch out for when renting apartments can be tight security. Many apartment locations only provide a limited number of visitor spots, which can make having company over difficult on a busy night. Those spots may fill up quick, leaving none for your company. When buying, you have the flexibility of allowing guests to park in your driveway, front lawn, side of the street, etc. |
| Not your responsibility – perhaps one of the biggest reasons people choose to rent is the fact that the house is not your responsibility. As stated in the first item on this list, this includes home repairs. | A place to call your own – it’s yours, not someone else’s. For some, this is a huge bonus. Being able to call the place you’re living “home” is a nice feeling. |
Ultimately, the decision is yours. There’s plenty of pros and cons for both sides, but the biggest pro will be your happiness. Some of the pros and cons may change slightly depending on where you live. In some locations, it’s cheaper to buy, in others it’s cheaper to rent. Be sure to explore all options in your area. Whatever you choose, Good luck, and may you find happiness. 🙂
For tips on how to begin your decluttering journey, you can Start Here, or snag a copy of the 30 Day Challenge (our Minimalism and Decluttering eBook).
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