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Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022

The Gentry Team January 4, 2022

 
Are you one of the many renters thinking about where you’ll live the next time your lease is up? Before you decide whether to look for a new house or another apartment, it’s important to understand the true costs of renting in 2022.
 
As a renter, you should know rents have been rising since 1988 (see graph below):
 
 
In 2021, rents grew dramatically. According to ApartmentList, since January 2021:
 
“The national median rent has increased by a staggering 17.8 percent. To put that in context, rent growth from January to November averaged just 2.6 percent in the pre-pandemic years from 2017-2019.”
 
That increase in 2021 was far greater than the typical rent increases we’ve seen in recent years. In other words – rents are rising fast. And the 2022 National Housing Forecast from Realtor projects prices for vacant units will continue to increase this year:
 
“In 2022, we expect this trend will continue and fuel rent growth. At a national level, we forecast rent growth of 7.1% in the next 12 months, somewhat ahead of home price growth.”
 
That means, if you’re planning to move into a different rental this year, you’ll likely pay far more than you have in years past.
 

Homeownership Provides an Alternative to Rising Rents

If you’re a renter facing rising rental costs, you might wonder what alternatives you have. If so, consider homeownership. One of the many benefits of homeownership is it provides a stable monthly cost you can lock in for the duration of your loan.
 
As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:
 
“Fast-rising rents and increasing consumer prices, may have some prospective buyers seeking the protection of a fixed, consistent mortgage payment.”
 
If you’re planning to make a move this year, locking in your monthly housing costs for 15-30 years can be a major benefit. You’ll avoid wondering if you’ll need to adjust your budget to account for annual increases.
 
Homeowners also enjoy the added benefit of home equity, which has grown substantially right now. In fact, the latest Homeowner Equity Insight report from CoreLogic shows the average homeowner gained $56,700 in equity over the last 12 months. As a renter, your rent payment only covers the cost of your dwelling. When you pay your mortgage, you grow your wealth through the forced savings that is your home equity.  
 

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking of renting this year, it’s important to keep in mind the true costs you’ll face. Let's connect so you can see how you can begin your journey to homeownership today.

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If working with a team that truly gives back to the community matters to you, we would make a great match. Reach out today to get started on buying or selling your home with a team that knows Moore County inside and out. With decades in the industry and an exceptional team of sales specialists, The Gentry Team has sold more homes than any other real estate firm in Moore County—and more than the total volume of most real estate companies in the region. This level of experience is unmatched, allowing us to help you sell your home for top value while anticipating and handling every detail along the way. We work collaboratively, combining our collective expertise to achieve the very best results for our clients. It is an approach built on trust, teamwork, and proven success. When you work with real locals, you get real results.

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THE GENTRY TEAM

(910) 295-7100

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5 Chinquapin Rd
Pinehurst NC 28374