Renting vs Buying Which is better?

Poste date: Monday, November 15, 2021



Which is better: living in a rental property and continuing to pay rent or buying a property for sale? This is a frequent question that many people are wondering about. It is very difficult to give you a clear answer because it depends on the person’s life plan, the way of thinking about his/her life, and the social situation. But we would like to show the advantages and disadvantages of renting and buying a home here, so that we can help you make your choice even a little.

1. The big difference between renting and buying

It is only natural that a rental property will not become yours even if you continue to pay monthly rent. However, when you purchase a property, the purchase price minus the decrease in the value of the building becomes your asset.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of renting and buying



Renting

【Advantages】

  1. You can move out relatively freely when you have to move out due to a job transfer, noisy neighbors, a growing family, or other reasons.
  2. The lessor will pay for any repairs or breakdowns of equipment that are not attributed to your fault.
  3. You can control the cost of housing according to the increase or decrease of your income.

【Disadvantages】

  1. You will have to continue paying rent and renewal fees for the rest of your life, even after you retire and give up your income.
  2. As you get older, an "identity underwriter" is often required for tenants, in addition to a joint guarantor or a guarantee company. (An identity underwriter is a person to contact or consult with in case that something happens to the tenant.)
  3. It is not possible to change the interior and facilities to your liking. (There are some exceptions.


Buying

【Advantages】

  1. If you pay off your housing loan by the time you retire, you will be able to reduce your housing costs after retirement.
  2. Compared to renting, there is a wide range of options such as floor plans and equipment and the quality level of housing tends to be higher.
  3. You can change the interior and facilities to suit your taste.
  4. Tax breaks such as deduction of housing loans are available

【Disadvantages】

  1. Maintenance costs associated with the deterioration of the building are high. In the case of apartments, management fee and reserve fund for repair may increase year by year.
  2. Basically, it is difficult to lower the cost of housing except by refinancing a housing loan.
  3. You have to pay property tax, and city planning tax as well depending on the location.

3. Cost comparison between renting and buying

What kind of contract terms will you choose for your rental home? What kind of housing loan will you take out when you buy the property, and how much will you take out a housing loan?
Depending on these factors, the amount of money you will spend may vary greatly.
Therefore, it is very difficult to estimate which will actually cost more, renting or buying.
You can find various calculations on the Internet, but the results may vary such as from almost no difference to a considerable difference between renting and buying.

However, one of the major differences in expenditure can be seen in the case when someone buys a property by using a housing loan, but he/she (insurance subscriber) passes away. In this case the loan amount comes with life insurance, so the inheritors are possible to receive the property without repayment of loan balance, making a large difference in terms of a total cost payment.

4. Summary

Which is better, renting or buying? As we described at the beginning, it is very difficult to provide a clear answer to the question. What kind of house do you want to live in? What plans do you have in the future? What is your ability to pay? How much risk are you prepared to take? After considering such various things, you may have to choose your best way.

Whichever option you choose, we recommend that you collect information or consult with experts to get a better deal, so that you can live in a house that “you really want to live in”​.

Exterior of Emblem Meguro Chayazaka
Sale Property tag

A 13-minute walk from Meguro Station on the JR Yamanote Line. Emblem Meguro Chayazaka is a 4-story low-rise condominium in a beautiful residential area. Ebisu Garden Place is also very close by, and the appeal of this location is that you can enjoy a wide range of activities from strolling on your days off to daily shopping. With Nakameguro and Ebisu also within walking distance, you will be able to fully enjoy the urban lifestyle you have envisioned. Construction of Emblem Meguro Chayazaka was completed in June 1985. It has a total of 14 units. There is an auto-lock system, a delivery box, and an elevator.

JPY 218,000,000

Exterior of SHIROKANE The SKY
Sale Property tag
Brandnew

Large Scale redevelopment project for mixed-use facilities including SHIROKANE The SKY, which is a 45-stories apartment with 1247 total units, launches at the area within a 3min walk of Shirokane-takanawa Station on Metro Nanboku Line and Toei Mita Line. Shirokane-takanawa area is having continuous evolve by the past and on-going multiple redevelopment projects. The area around Shirokane-takanawa Station is a town with various colorful shops including “Shirokane AER City” directly connected to the station. Facing a street lined with trees, there are many stylish flower shops, cafes, and restaurants. There is also a supermarket with a wide selection of imported ingredients close by, and such sophisticated and modern atmosphere brings a variety of pleasures to your everyday life.

JPY 278,000,000 - 358,000,000

Exterior of Park Heim Kagurazaka
Sale Property tag

JPY 128,000,000

Exterior of J Park Meguro 4
Sale Property tag

It is located in a quiet residential area between Meguro River with seasonal beauty and Meguro Fudo Crossing. A neighboring area is dotted with many educational and medical facilities, and historical shrines and temples as well as supermarkets and convenience stores making the area convenient for everyday life. The brown-color-tiled appearance is beautiful and the marble-tiled entrance design gives relaxed atmosphere. Parking space with a door for walking-in and out for the outside of the building.

JPY 99,800,000

Exterior of La Défense Takanawadai
Sale Property tag

JPY 59,800,000