If you could afford to buy a house with cash instead of taking on a mortgage, would you?
In most cases, living mortgage-free seems enticing because it eliminates the stress of knowing you are in debt.
Thus, naturally, this causes people to think putting their cash towards buying their desired property is a great option compared to taking loans or house mortgages.
However, is it a smart way to invest your money? If you take a mortgage, you’ll pay interest, but you’ll have your savings available for something else.
If you use your savings to buy a house, you won’t be spending money on interest, but you might face liquidity problems at some point.
There are several aspects you need to consider to make this decision. To help you with that, we prepared a list of the benefits and drawbacks of paying for a house in cash. Let’s explore them.
Benefits of Paying Cash for a House
You need to congratulate yourself if you can purchase a home with cash. Buying a home with cash gives you more freedom. You’re not dependent on a third party to lend you money, and consequently, you don’t have to follow their terms.
Here are four benefits of buying a home with cash:
1. Increases a Buyers’ Competitive Edge
If you’re buying a house in a location where the real estate market is not in your favor and the inventory is low, being a cash buyer will give you a competitive edge.
Home sellers essentially appreciate the certainty of knowing cash buyers will make closing the deal much more straightforward.
They understand that mortgage home buyers may incur issues getting mortgage approval from lenders. Thus, they prefer going with cash buyers knowing their financing is less likely to fall through.
Being a cash buyer might make a difference between getting that house you love or not.
2. You Own the House From the Get-go
When you buy a house in cash, the house is yours alone. There are no third parties involved. This means that you don’t run the risk of not being able to afford your mortgage.
Even if your financial situation changes, you don’t have to worry about losing your house as long as you’re not in debt.
3. Saves on Hefty Interest Fees
Wouldn’t it be amazing knowing you are not living in debt?
Buying a home using cash means you do not have to take on hefty mortgages or loans that may incur costly interests over your payment period.
Being debt-free allows you to save more money in the long run. For instance, consider an interest accrued on a ten-year loan. There is a higher chance that the interest fees may cost you thousands of dollars you could have used to cover other expenses.
4. It Quickens the Closing Process
Buying a home or property with cash allows buyers more control over the transactions. At this point, the buyer is not under the mercy of any mortgage lenders or banks who may delay or deny the applications, making the deal fall through.
Thus, having the ability to buy a home at the asking price allows you to close the deal quickly. You may receive the ownership in just a few weeks instead of waiting months if you are dealing with lenders that have to inspect your bank statements, credit reports, and proof of income.
Additional Reading: What Makes a House a Money Pit?
Drawbacks of Paying Cash for a House
Just because cash can offer a home buyer autonomy and authority during the buying process does not mean that cash offers are always ideal.
Let’s look at three disadvantages of buying a home using cash:
1. Ties Your Money in One Investment
Some cash buyers are often disadvantaged if they put all their life savings into a single asset.
So, if they want to regain the money from it, selling it is a good option but not a great one because the housing market keeps fluctuating.
Thus, if unlucky and you get the chance to sell the home during a recession. You may sell it at a loss, losing your money in the process.
2. You May Become Cash Poor but House Rich
Buying a house using cash does not mean you are wealthy. Some people use their life savings to purchase a home with cash, which leaves little money for daily expenses.
You should ask yourself what happens when the unexpected happens.
For instance, what will happen if the house develops plumbing or roofing issues and you need money to make the repairs and replacements done on faulty connections? Will you have the money for such expenses?
If not, you may become stressed and start sourcing for loans you were trying to avoid in the beginning.
Thus, draining all your savings to buy a home when you do not have a backup plan can be a risky investment.
Additional Reading? What Are The Risks Of Buying An Old House?
3. Poor Inspection of the property
Everyone knows potential property owners should perform extensive checks on properties before purchasing to ensure no issues compromise the investment.
However, you will find that cash buyers are bidding on a home without knowing its state.
You may haunt yourself by making rash decisions when buying property without thoroughly inspecting the house for current and future problems.
In the long run, you may make a bad investment when buying a home whose replacements and repairs can cost as much as the purchasing price, incurring more expenses you did not plan for or foresee.
Conclusion
The best way to decide whether or not to buy a home with cash is by going with the option that offers you the best deals for your money.
It is a good idea to seek assistance and advice from financial advisors who can help you make the best decisions that align with your long-term financial goals.
Additionally, consider having a real estate agent and a lawyer to back you up and prevent you from falling prey to real estate fraud.
