A Call that Changed a Renter’s Life
I had just started my calls for the day, with a mission to find the next hopeful homeowner. About three calls in, I reached Jeannette, a warm voice that answered with a sigh heavy enough to sound like she was carrying all the worries of the world.
"Oh, I'm just not sure, you know?" Jeannette began after I introduced myself. "I’m thinking about sticking to renting. I mean, every time I think I’m ready to buy, I hear someone talk about the cost of repairs, roofs caving in, pipes bursting, lawns that won’t mow themselves... Why not let someone else deal with all that, right?”
I could feel her hesitation through the phone. But I knew we had to clear up a few things. “Jeannette, I totally get it. Owning a home isn’t as carefree as dropping the keys off at the landlord’s office when something breaks. But think about this: renting is like throwing cash into a bonfire every month, while buying is an investment that sticks with you.”
She paused, skeptical but intrigued. So, I went on.
“Look at it this way,” I said, getting into my rhythm. “Every month you pay rent, that’s money gone forever. With a mortgage, each payment builds equity. It's like paying yourself each month instead of paying someone else. And that equity? It’s like a piggy bank that grows over time. You can borrow against it; it builds your net worth—who doesn’t like the sound of that?”
“Well,” Jeannette replied with a soft laugh, “but I like not worrying about unexpected costs.”
“Sure,” I said, “but owning can actually save you money long-term. Your mortgage payments are stable and predictable, unlike rent, which keeps going up every year, doesn’t it?”
“True… my rent just went up again,” she admitted, sounding a bit defeated.
“That’s exactly it. And guess what? With tax benefits, you might even get a nice refund each year just for owning your home,” I explained.
Her tone shifted. “A refund, huh? And I get to keep the house at the end?”
“Exactly, Jeannette. It’s like a piggy bank that grows and pays you back!” I said, chuckling. "Plus, at the end of the day, it’s your space. You want to paint the walls hot pink? Go for it. Start a vegetable garden? It’s all yours.”
She laughed. “You’re good. Alright, alright—I’ll think about it.”
And just like that, I knew I had her. Because once people start seeing a home as their own—not just walls to rent—their perspective changes. Jeannette may have just wanted a quick chat, but by the end, she was thinking about her future. And that’s what it’s all about!
Contact the Tasha Smith Real Estate Team for more information on the homebuying process in the areas we serve, Augusta GA, Aiken SC, Jacksonville FL, and surrounding areas.
904-993-1628
706-699-8082
or tashasmithrealestateteam@gmail.com.