Should I buy or rent a home?
Rent or buy? 10 questions about your plans, savings, job and local prices show which suits you right now, with the reasons behind it.
š Question 1 of 10
How long do you plan to stay in the same area?
How it works
Answer 10 quick questions about your situation. Each answer nudges the result one way or the other, and some are dealbreakers on their own. You get one of three verdicts, the reasons from your own answers, and practical tips. Everything is worked out in your browser: your answers are never sent to us.
What could the result be?
- š” Buying looks right for you: You plan to stay, you have savings and your income is steady: the signs that buying makes sense. Compare mortgages carefully and keep a safety net for repairs.
- š¤ It could go either way: Buying could work, but renting has real advantages for you right now. Compare the true costs with local prices, and keep saving while you decide.
- š Renting suits you better for now: Renting keeps you flexible and leaves your savings free. That's not throwing money away: you're paying for a home without the risks and costs of owning one. Look again when your plans settle.
Tips
- Aim for a 20% deposit, plus extra for fees, moving and furniture.
- Budget around 1% of a home's value each year for repairs and maintenance.
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle before you start viewing.
- Compare buying with renting and investing the difference, using real local prices.