First-time homebuyer dilemma

Buy a home, or keep renting and invest?

Start with these 5 questions

Not sure? run a market scenario

Select a market below

Go Deeper In Life

Go deeper in life

Mortgage

Growth

After payoff

…

Buy now, invest later

Keep renting, invest now

…

Buy now, invest later

Keep renting, invest now

1Cash phase

What each path costs you every month

Mortgage payment (PITI)

Rent

Monthly housing cost, years 1 to 30

Mortgage payment
Rent + renters insurance

Show the numbers

2Growth phase

What happens to my money at age

Net worth by age

Buy: home equity + investments
Rent: investments

Show the numbers

3Maintenance phase

How much money do I need before I leave?

Owner's monthly budget

Renter's monthly budget

4Legacy

What you leave behind

How the numbers work

This is a planning model built from the "FTHB Dilema V2" spreadsheet. It uses fixed yearly rates, so real markets, taxes and loan terms will differ. It is for education and is not financial advice. Talk to a licensed advisor and a lender before you decide.