Generally I consider taxes/association fees to be more cost of living than part of the property, in honesty (no way to really live anywhere for "free"). I spent a little to make the place nicer for sale, but it's a one bedroom, and we did a lot of stuff ourselves. (I learned to rescreen a screen door!)
I'd have to look at a lot of paperwork I can't bother myself with for an HN comment to get you an exact number, but after the sale of that place, and the purchase of a new place (I moved to get a larger place, wasn't really aiming to make money specifically.), I ended up with about the same amount of money put in towards the new place as I had paid into the old one, and an extra ten grand in my savings.
I'm not trying to say "buying is always better", and you have to do your research on the value of your property, properties in the area, where the housing market is at the time, how the rental market is going. There's no way anyone on this site can conclusively tell you that buying or renting is "better" nationwide.
But it's hard to understand why one would rent in a lot of cases, where you have no chance of getting that money back out.
Thanks. I guess I personally haven't really made much money on property, I've managed to break even probably if I figured it out. Although our upcoming sale will leave me with mid 6 figures in our bank account, it's not really profit, just equity that we've paid down.
I have enjoyed having our own place to do with as we pleased, but I'm looking forward to renting for a while!
I'd have to look at a lot of paperwork I can't bother myself with for an HN comment to get you an exact number, but after the sale of that place, and the purchase of a new place (I moved to get a larger place, wasn't really aiming to make money specifically.), I ended up with about the same amount of money put in towards the new place as I had paid into the old one, and an extra ten grand in my savings.
I'm not trying to say "buying is always better", and you have to do your research on the value of your property, properties in the area, where the housing market is at the time, how the rental market is going. There's no way anyone on this site can conclusively tell you that buying or renting is "better" nationwide.
But it's hard to understand why one would rent in a lot of cases, where you have no chance of getting that money back out.