Your home as an investment

5 good reasons to invest in a home

1. It has value – You own it (at least the part that you don’t owe the bank).
2. It can go up in value – You may be able to sell it for more money than you paid for it.
3. You get to live in it – You have to live somewhere.
4. You may pay the same as rent – The monthly mortgage payment may be about the same as rent.
5. It forces you to save – With each mortgage payment you make, you own a little more of your home.

 Be aware of the risks

1. Housing prices can fall – You could lose money if you buy your home when prices are high, and then sell when prices are lower.
2. Homes can get damaged – You could end up paying for fire, wind or water damage. Home insurance doesn’t always cover everything.
3. Getting your money may not be easy – It can take weeks or months to sell your home.
4. There are other costs – Examples: roof repairs, painting, heat, property taxes and hydro.

Buying a home can be an important part of your financial plan. But make sure you have a number of different investments to help spread risk. If one does poorly, others may do better.

Key point

When you buy a home, you’re investing in something with value. But prices can fall and it can be difficult to get your money out.