VentureBeat - Latest Comments in HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Jimmy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:01:21 -0000

That is really neat feature. I checked it out for the Austin, TX region and it was pretty amazing to see the pricing of homes vs apartments.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

John — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:18:52 -0000

List Your FSBO on Colorado MLS and save $1000s in broker commissions. Info at http://www.denvercoloradore...

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Richard Adhikari — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:18:27 -0000

Darrell's correct, Yuri, this feature goes live on Monday.
Once it's up, you can log in and use it.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Darrell Pierre — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:08:37 -0000

This feature does not go live until Monday. Richard got a sneak peek.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Yuri Ammosov — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:12:48 -0000

There is no such feature there anymore.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Yuri Ammosov — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:08:53 -0000

Cannot find this tab on NYC map.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Matt Corgan — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:01:20 -0000

Hi, Matt from HotPads here...

Thanks for the suggestions. The "Monthly" price that comes up in the preview bubble is just the mortgage payment. So far we've decided that was the most straightforward number to report, but that can be changed.

Common additions to the mortgage payment would be 0.4% for homeowner's insurance, and 1.3% for property tax. Then it gets more complicated with income tax deductions for property tax and interest payments. On top of that, the interest tax savings decrease rapidly over time.

With more feedback, we may change the listings that are returned in search results...

But when the site is launched, you'll notice we've also included a thorough Buy vs. Rent calculator in the full listing. It charts housing related monthly payments over time, and the buyer's assets vs. the renter's assets over time. It shows you what expenses you'll need to handle in your new home, and what assets you'll be working with the next time you move.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

Richard Adhikari — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:36:38 -0000

Yes, it's always better to buy...and I agree that a feature showing the property tax would be good. Problem is, the tax rate depends (a) on the city; (b) on current valuation. And the city will increase the rate every year. Also, there is the question of special bonds etc that are passed...way too many variables to be sure you can code them in accurately.
Now the problem with purchasing in today's market is, with house prices tumbling, you might owe more than the house is worth. That's actually happened to a woman in Oakland, who said the sale price of her house is now $200K less than what she bought it for. And, since she got a subprime mortgage and will be paying interest and principal on the higher price, she's in real trouble.
Her rationale was that the lending companies should not have lent her the money for the house if they knew she was a bad risk. Nah, sez I, she is responsible for her problem. Here's where the price comparison feature for buyers will be a big help - at least they will get a ballpark idea of what the house will cost.
Of course, people forget the taxes, and the fact that you have to do maintenance on the house,, which can cost 1-3 per cent of the house's price annually, I believe.
Bottom line: We're all responsible for our decisions and need to step back and think things through clearly. This site's tools will help, but that's all.

Re: HotPads to show rent vs. buy home prices

db — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:59:39 -0000

They can add one important thing to the pricing (average property tax). Also I used to have this discussion with someone very often. If you save 200 per month renting (one example) after 25 years are you ahead if you banked that extra 200 bucks ( 200 per month - 4 per cent return compounded over 25 years). Build that into the model and it adds another interesting feature. He recently bought a home so I think I convinced him the home was the better investment.