“To buy or rent” is a significant life decision every adult must make at some point. The decision is particularly crucial for couples in a long-term committed relationship, seeking to move in together, combine assets, and build a life together under the same roof.
Varying housing locations and styles complicate the decision to buy or not buy a house for many couples. One popular house style that seems to entice American couples across different age groups is the chalet.
So, should couples buy or rent a chalet? Keep Reading to learn why chalets are a worthwhile purchase for US couples.
- A Sense of Stability
Owning a home also fulfills a couple’s psychological need for a sense of permanence and stability. One report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, homeowners enjoy a better quality of life and are more invested in their communities.
Additionally, the report shows that children brought up by homeowners tend to perform, on average, better in school. Therefore, realizing that the psychological benefits of home ownership trickle down to children is enough to make you research holiday chalets for sale and other house listings and start planning a purchase.
Second, although some couples prefer to rent a chalet because the payments are predictable, the predictable aspect is feeble because it leaves you at the landlord’s mercy. For example, your landlord has the discretion to increase your rent after your lease expires to an amount you may not afford. Also, your rental building may change hands, and the new landlord may impose non-favorable policies or increase your rent.
- Home Ownership Incentives
Homeownership is a quintessential aspect of the American dream. Therefore, various US government departments have favorable property policies to increase the homeownership rate in the country.
Such incentives include homeownership tax incentives like the IRA’s tax breaks. The IRA allows couples a tax deduction on home ownership mortgage loans up to $750,000. Couples separately filing taxes get a similar tax deduction on mortgage loans up to $375,000 per individual.
However, the tax deduction only applies if you itemize your taxes as a couple filing jointly or individuals filing separately. Besides the IRA’s deductions, you can apply for your state’s mortgage tax credit certificate to increase your federal tax benefits.
Another IRA tax deduction available to couples purchasing a chalet or any other home is the mortgage points deduction on prepaid interest. Moreover, the IRA allows you to treat your private mortgage insurance payments as home mortgage interest, eligible for a full deduction.
The above tax deductions are unavailable to chalet renters. Therefore, taking advantage of available homeownership incentives makes buying a chalet a sound decision for couples seeking a more stable future. Although filing taxes separately could be the better option under special circumstances, one report shows that the standard deduction for couples filing taxes jointly is significantly higher than similar deductions for singles and couples filing taxes separately.
- Wealth And Income Generation
Home equality is the biggest source of wealth for American families across various demographics. According to one report, US homeowners accumulate at least $1712 to $4460 annually in property appreciation. Therefore, home ownership is a sound long-term investment you can pass on to your dependents as a couple.
Besides property appreciation, chalet houses typically exist in vacation areas. Therefore, besides purchasing a rustic chalet as your first or primary home, you can purchase one for rent income generation.
The rent income from your chalet allows you to enjoy a steady passive income all year round. Moreover, you can list the chalet as a bed-and-breakfast and generate income from vacationers.
- Customization
Most couples struggle to find living spaces that suit their esthetic style and functionality. Moreover, rental companies and landlords only allow minimum adjustments like a paint job and minor installations, provided you restore the residential space to its original form when terminating the lease contract. Therefore, renting a home as a couple means contending with floor plans, amenities, and appliances that may be impractical for your needs.
However, buying a chalet allows you to customize the house’s interior and exterior to meet your and your partner’s esthetic style and practical needs. You can choose a new layout, add a new story extension, add an energy-efficient heating system, update appliances, replace dated structures like doors and windows, and undertake other DIY projects. Such home improvements increase your chalet’s values, and home improvements that improve energy efficiency are eligible for tax credits.
- Retreat From Routine
As earlier stated, typical chalet locations are in vacation areas like lakefronts, snowy mountainsides, and beaches. One factor the above vacation areas share is proximity to nature.
Therefore, purchasing a chalet is a lifestyle choice that allows you weekend getaways and vacations away from city stress, allowing you to enjoy a wholesome life. Some couples rent homes in upscale city districts and buy chalets for income generation and some much-needed downtime.
- Meet Your Family’s Growing Space Needs
Your family’s space needs to keep evolving. For instance, you may require a home office in the future or more room to accommodate children or a pet.
More room space means a house with ample square footage, which you may not afford while renting because renting does nothing for your net worth. However, investing in a chalet today means you can sell it at an appreciated price or use passive rental income to purchase a bigger house in the future.
Conclusion:
The advantages of purchasing a chalet for a couple outweigh the possible disadvantages. However, research is key in ensuring you buy a chalet at a good location and maximize incentives to get the best deal and future returns.
