Millennials more willing to rent?

Traditional thinking among Canadians is that homeownership is favourable to renting; an attitude that has boded well for mortgage brokers who have a large majority of the population looking for mortgages to tap into. But what if attitudes shift and biases toward renting decrease?

Traditional thinking among Canadians is that homeownership is favourable to renting; an attitude that has boded well for mortgage brokers who have a large majority of the population looking for mortgages to tap into. But what if attitudes shift and biases toward renting decrease?

The Globe and Mail took a look at one particular University class’ assignment that found these soon-to-be-grads are more partial to renting than buying, even when offered a 20 per cent gift.

“Last year, in a class of 29 students, a clear majority said they would buy,” Prof. Richard Harris said to the Globe’s Rob Carrick. “I was surprised because I had spent a lot of time speaking about the dangers of price bubbles, and about the opinion of most experts that the markets in many Canadian cities had moved, or were moving, into bubble territory.”
This year, Carrick writes, only five of 23 students said they would buy.

Millenials will have an increasing amount of buying power in the next few decades and although sample size was admittedly small, the results illustrate a generation that is more willing to consider renting over purchasing.

The assignment asked them to imagine attaining a job in another city with the stipulation that they had to stay for five years and that an aunt would offer each a 20 per cent down payment to purchase a house. Read on to see what the students had to say.

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Why would I pick renting instead of buying? Renting a home can be cheaper because I don’t have to worry about property tax, managing my home and many other hidden and unexpected problems. Renting is more accessible than owning a home. As a homeowner, I am taking the risk of the economy crashing, but as a renter I don’t have to worry about the market crashing or paying mortgages.
  • Wajiha Saeed
There are many personal considerations that are reflected in my desire to rent and not own. The first is the contractual nature of my employment. With guaranteed employment for only five years, I may not have the resources at the end of that term to afford my home or I may relocate, either by choice or by constraint. While I could always sell my home at this point, it would cost me money and time to do so, whereas a rental is much easier to leave.
  • Eliza Jackson
Buying a house would be a good investment, especially when I know I can afford a substantial down payment and my guaranteed income for at least five years could cover my mortgage payments. Mortgage interest rates are also at an all-time low right now, making it a good time to buy. However, now is not the right time for me to be making such a huge financial commitment. First of all, I do not know exactly where I will be when the five years I have committed to this company is up. Once I have figured out exactly where I want to be career-wise, and maybe once I am married and the idea of starting a family seems realistic, both of which will somewhat anchor me to a location, I may become more interested in purchasing a home.
  • Maggie Gee
Since interest rates and home prices are rising quickly, but my income is not, I don’t see buying a house to be a feasible or sustainable investment at this point in my life.
  • Kirsten Eaton
While there are numerous costs and variables in the rent versus buy debate…it makes more sense for an employed male in his early twenties to rent a residence rather than purchase over a five-year time period.
  • Michael Ayalew