Renting vs. Homeownership: What You Need to Know

It’s also helpful to understand how a mortgage payment actually works. A typical payment includes principal, interest, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and often private mortgage insurance if you own less than 20% of the home’s value. In some cases, HOA fees are also added.

In the early years of a traditional 30-year mortgage, a significant portion of each payment goes toward interest rather than reducing the loan balance. Thirty-year mortgages can still be wise—they keep payments manageable and allow flexibility if you want to make extra principal payments—but they are designed to be long-term loans. Early equity growth often comes more from market appreciation than from paying down the balance.

Rising home prices can create fear about waiting too long, pushing buyers to act before they’re ready. While market trends are worth paying attention to, they shouldn’t be the deciding factor. A home should fit your current season of life and support your responsibilities and priorities—not stretch your finances or limit your ability to live and give faithfully.

It also helps to release the pressure of finding a “forever home.” On average, first-time buyers stay in their homes seven to ten years. Career changes, growing families, and life transitions often make moving a natural part of the journey. The first home simply needs to perform well in the current season.

Rising Costs Don’t Disappear with Ownership

Rising rents are another common frustration, especially when lease renewals result in higher monthly costs. But owning a home doesn’t eliminate rising expenses. While a fixed-rate mortgage keeps principal and interest steady, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance typically increase over time. Even after a mortgage is paid off, those costs remain.

Maintenance is another reality worth considering. Once you own a home, repairs are your responsibility—roofs, plumbing, electrical systems, and heating or cooling issues can bring unexpected expenses. While insurance offers protection, deductibles and coverage limits often mean high out-of-pocket costs, and filing claims may lead to higher premiums later.

While homeownership can be a blessing, it’s not a measure of faithfulness—and it isn’t right for every situation. Sometimes, the wisest choice is to continue renting, patiently preparing for what comes next, and trusting that God’s timing is often kinder than our urgency.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I’d like to understand what an irrevocable trust is and how it works.
• I have $30,000 I’d like to invest outside of real estate. I won’t need the money for about 10 years. Where would you recommend investing it?
• I took out high-interest loans to pay for my wife’s dental work, but my hours have since been cut, and I’ve drained my savings. Is there a way to consolidate this into one lower-interest loan so my payments actually reduce the balance?
• About 25 years ago, I filed for bankruptcy for around $3,500 when I was struggling financially. I’m in a better place now and receive my ex-husband’s Social Security. Is there any way—or reason—to repay that old debt?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• List of Faith-Based Investment Funds
• Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) | AdelFi
• SoFi | Marcus | LightStream | Bankrate | NerdWallet
• Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Fidelity
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)
• FaithFi App