Peter Lynch (Wikipedia) one of the most enviable
fund manager of all time written in his Book “One Up on Wall Street” that we
should buy a house before we invest our money into the stock market.
fund manager of all time written in his Book “One Up on Wall Street” that we
should buy a house before we invest our money into the stock market.
Do I own a house? Lynch
suggests that you buy a house before you invest your money in the stock market
because, “in 99 cases out of 100, a house will be a money-maker.”
suggests that you buy a house before you invest your money in the stock market
because, “in 99 cases out of 100, a house will be a money-maker.”
Is
this True?
this True?
The
way he sees it, a house is rigged in your favour. You can acquire one for 20%
down (without having to make the cash call like you would with a stock bought
on margin), the leverage you use increases your returns, and the interest on
the loan is tax deductible.
way he sees it, a house is rigged in your favour. You can acquire one for 20%
down (without having to make the cash call like you would with a stock bought
on margin), the leverage you use increases your returns, and the interest on
the loan is tax deductible.
In
addition, people generally do more research when they buy a home than when they
buy a stock, which further increases the chances that the investment will turn
out well.
addition, people generally do more research when they buy a home than when they
buy a stock, which further increases the chances that the investment will turn
out well.
One of the most successful fund
managers of all time, advocating public to invest in a house taking advantage
of leverage before investing in a stock?
managers of all time, advocating public to invest in a house taking advantage
of leverage before investing in a stock?
Let
us see why.
us see why.
Property better than Stocks? It
depends
depends
Peter
Lynch said that when people look at a house, they’re very careful. They look at
the school system. They look at the street. They look at the plumbing. When
they buy a refrigerator, they do homework.
Lynch said that when people look at a house, they’re very careful. They look at
the school system. They look at the street. They look at the plumbing. When
they buy a refrigerator, they do homework.
But
when it comes to stock people are so convinced that the small investor has no chance,
the stock market’s a big game and then they act accordingly to the masses. “they’ll
put $10,000 in some zany stock that they don’t even know what it does that they
heard on a bus on the way to work and wonder why they lose money, and they do
it before sunset.”
when it comes to stock people are so convinced that the small investor has no chance,
the stock market’s a big game and then they act accordingly to the masses. “they’ll
put $10,000 in some zany stock that they don’t even know what it does that they
heard on a bus on the way to work and wonder why they lose money, and they do
it before sunset.”
A DTZ research showed that property prices have
outpaced equities between in the last 5 years. (Q3 2009 to Q3 2014). Using
compound annual growth rate basis, property price increased 6.1% Vs STI’s
growth of 4.2%
outpaced equities between in the last 5 years. (Q3 2009 to Q3 2014). Using
compound annual growth rate basis, property price increased 6.1% Vs STI’s
growth of 4.2%
Does that really mean that property is better than
shares?
shares?
An article from Motley Fool also addressed this topic.
Read “Are Properties Really Better Investments Than
Shares?”
Read “Are Properties Really Better Investments Than
Shares?”
Hmmm…. Or probably it is a function of how much effort
or hours you put into research?
or hours you put into research?
Renting beats buying
a home? It depends
a home? It depends
Read an article from Business Times earlier titled
“Renting beats buying a home? It depends”
“Renting beats buying a home? It depends”
It reported that in USA, a study said that home
ownership is still 38% cheaper than renting. In Australia, another study said
that home prices are unlikely to keep growing at a rate they had from the past
60 years. A research found that if prices stay constant or appreciate 2% or
less over the next 4-5 years, renting could prove more cost-effective than
buying a property. Below is the example
ownership is still 38% cheaper than renting. In Australia, another study said
that home prices are unlikely to keep growing at a rate they had from the past
60 years. A research found that if prices stay constant or appreciate 2% or
less over the next 4-5 years, renting could prove more cost-effective than
buying a property. Below is the example
Renting is More Feasible According to a Research?
Example – Purchase. Assume below:
- Condo unit purchased at ~ S$1.28 million near upper Bukit Timah area.
- Sell 4 years later
- Price appreciation less than 2%.
- Fixed interest 2.18% for next 4 years over 30 years.
- No inflation and no discount rate.
- 2 year holding period in the loan
- Minimum required down payment plus other miscellaneous
fees all paid.
Overall a Loss of S$149,000/- conducted by a research
company.
company.
Example – Rental. Assume below:
- Rental S$2,800 per month
- Rental for 4 years
Overall loss of S$134,000/-
Hence according to this research, renting is more
feasible over 4 years. However if property appreciate more than 2%, then the
reverse may be true instead.
feasible over 4 years. However if property appreciate more than 2%, then the
reverse may be true instead.
Not Just Profit and Loss
R’ST Research director said owning a property goes
beyond profit and loss, but also personal and psychological factors. For
instance, pride of owning a property and also owners do build up equity as they
pay down the mortgage.
beyond profit and loss, but also personal and psychological factors. For
instance, pride of owning a property and also owners do build up equity as they
pay down the mortgage.
Financial security such as regular income had to be
taken into account also. Also consider maintenance fees of property over time
(wear and tear), condo monthly fees, property tax, hassle of finding tenants,
and troubles you will encounter with troublesome tenants.
taken into account also. Also consider maintenance fees of property over time
(wear and tear), condo monthly fees, property tax, hassle of finding tenants,
and troubles you will encounter with troublesome tenants.
Why Buying Over Rental
“If Singaporeans buy a flat or private property, they
will surely enjoy capital appreciation in the long term.” Ong Kah Seng, R’ST
Research Director.
will surely enjoy capital appreciation in the long term.” Ong Kah Seng, R’ST
Research Director.
Mr. Ong also mentioned that rental money essentially
goes to nowhere, merely helping landlord to pay off the mortgage, nor yielding
one any returns. Singapore housing policies such as CPF are also inclining
towards home ownership instead of rental. The absent of Capital gains tax in
Singapore also encourage foreigners to invest their cash in property here.
goes to nowhere, merely helping landlord to pay off the mortgage, nor yielding
one any returns. Singapore housing policies such as CPF are also inclining
towards home ownership instead of rental. The absent of Capital gains tax in
Singapore also encourage foreigners to invest their cash in property here.
Rolf’s Summary
Property or Stocks? Ask yourself which is better for
you? Which one interests you more to perform hours of research? Which investment
class makes you can sleep better?
you? Which one interests you more to perform hours of research? Which investment
class makes you can sleep better?
Personally
I will like to agree with Peter Lynch that invests in a house over your head to
stay first. Do not rent a house to stay if you intend to be in the country for
long.
I will like to agree with Peter Lynch that invests in a house over your head to
stay first. Do not rent a house to stay if you intend to be in the country for
long.
Additional
real estate investments then are just like stock investments. It requires hours
spend in research until you become adept in it, before you unleash your buy
call.
real estate investments then are just like stock investments. It requires hours
spend in research until you become adept in it, before you unleash your buy
call.
I also cannot agree more that Property and Shares are
two different asset classes. They are different and you cannot really proclaim
that one is better than another.
two different asset classes. They are different and you cannot really proclaim
that one is better than another.
I currently invest in both asset classes to diversify
my portfolio. This can provides me with different streams of income. Do
remember that before you invest, you require building up your warchest of
money. This requires years of regular savings as well as immense efforts in
career/business to increase your earnings.
my portfolio. This can provides me with different streams of income. Do
remember that before you invest, you require building up your warchest of
money. This requires years of regular savings as well as immense efforts in
career/business to increase your earnings.
Remember that Warren
Buffett work many jobs as a teenager and also started a “Pin Ball” business” to
increase his earnings, save and invest.
Buffett work many jobs as a teenager and also started a “Pin Ball” business” to
increase his earnings, save and invest.
So next time, when you hear a friend saying that
“Property is better than Stocks” or “Stocks is better than Property”, there is
no need to be agitated and start arguing against it. Just have to remember that both asset classes are different and both
require hours of research before you reap your rewards.
“Property is better than Stocks” or “Stocks is better than Property”, there is
no need to be agitated and start arguing against it. Just have to remember that both asset classes are different and both
require hours of research before you reap your rewards.
Related Posts:
I know people who are more stocks savvy than properties. They are always very skeptical about property earning money. Worse still, when they know of facts that people earn money from property who know nothing about stocks, they are jealous and angry.
Imagine above advice is not from Peter Lynch and from a nobody. Will you still be open and heed the advice?
Can we excel in both asset classes? Even if we don't isn't it better to accept what others prefer?
Personally I love both stocks and property investing.
Hi Rolf
Interesting article there!!!
I like that you mentioned people doing more research on properties than stocks. I think either than the fact that it involves a more huge sum, properties research are also more layman understanding (such as vicinity, facilities, etc) as opposed to stocks where it can get complicated and deter people from investing in the asset class.
Hi B,
Cannot agree more with you! Therefore maybe we should treat every stock trades (irregardless of size) with great care just like a property purchase/ sale.
Rolf
Own a home first and the home will become the asset of last resort?
Hi CW,
Agree. Own it as a roof over your head, especially HDB before prices emulate HongKong price one day!
Rolf
Rolf,
In Singapore's context, all things being equal, the earlier we get married and buy our first HDB flat (provided not unlucky to buy at the peak); plus 2nd bite of the cherry, life can be quite good for my generation and those generations before me.
It would be interesting to hear from those in their mid or late twenties whether they feel property is one good asset to "ride" together with Singapore's growth?
Hi SMOL,
I envied my friends (my generation) who applied for 4Rm HDB at 200k in the mid 2000s. But most got it at 400-500k after 2010. My sis (your generation) got her 4Rm at 130k near redhill area in mid 90s.
I envied even more those who got SERs. LOL. Envy not equal jealous. Haha …
I reckon if you are eligible to apply for new HDB flat, do it early. Prices for new HDB are not so cyclic. For resale and private, you have to be more careful of the cycles.
Yes, hearing from mid and late twenties is interesting.
Prices of housing is too ex now 400-600k for HDB. In fact most prefer to go for EC due to the facilities ranging from 800-1200k.
But then again, because of the fruits from the older generation, most younger generation do have extra support of down payments, reno or marriage expenses to compliment their more expensive housing.
Rolf
Most of my folks generation have to support their parents.
How about younger folks generation now?
Many are preparing for their own retirement.
Nature way of balancing?
Your generation support parents, yourself and also your children generation. Poor thing.
Think I am not so different here, since my only parent has always been a housewife and need me and siblings' support. I also need to support myself all these while.
Hopefully I do not need to support my children when they start working. Pray!
Hmmm…. and I do not have a cheap HDB as your generation.
So guess I am not in the category of younger generation anymore.
By recognizing subliminal inclinations and seeing how they can hurt a portfolio's arrival, investors can grow long haul money related plans to help diminish their effect. The accompanying are the absolute most normal and hindering investor predispositions. https://www.investorservicesuae.com/
Nice One..thanks for sharing it..
Reference:
homeofficeexecutive.com
sdjsa.org
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