Stock Markets Exposed

Should I buy a condo or should I invest the money in the stock market?

I can buy a condo for 187k cash, and my monthly fee going forward between taxes and maint would be $400. Or I can take that same 187k and put it in the stock market and continue renting my apartment for $925 per month. What should I do?

Public Comments

1. definitely keep renting. the housing market is supposed to depreciate next year, and is already slumping even more this year. so if you have renters you're doing good. the stock market is doing ok, so invest wisely in companies that will continue doing well despite the economy.
2. Trust me: Purchase a bible, read it each day prayerfully. Live it. It's the greatest retirement investment anywhere. Thank God my mama raised me right! .
3. Always invest into something solid that you can touch.. you cant go wrong then. stock market is designed for the rich to get richer and the beginners to lose all their money. thats the way it works. buy a small peice of land in a good area and build on it... pretend your playing monopoly ha ha PS - your american economy is on the down big time in the next ten years... dont invest your money !! All the best
4. What do YOU want to do? What do the rest of your finances look like? Why not a house?
5. Do you feel lucky or would you prefer to reduce your monthly housing expenses by 55%. Dont forget, that your condo will likely gain in value while you live in it as well. I think this is a much safer option then putting it into the stock market. You get a immediate return and ensure you have a place to live
6. This is the seventh time you have asked this question. The correct answer has already been given.
7. There are questions to be answered. First, is the $925 fixed. If so for how long? A conservative return in the market over time is 5% plus inflation. 5% is approx $780. Not having that return plus not paying the $400 is greater than the $925 rent. These figures suggest the stock market. Seek a fee only CFP (R) who uses only no-load funds and make sure you diversify.
8. neither is a sure thing in todays market , but I would invest the money in different money market accounts , do not throw it all in to just one or two , because some of the accounts will do great while one or two may not do well at all , I am guessing you already have a Roth IRA , if not you could look in to that or set something up for the kids if you have them , investing in your families future is a win , win situation , I would not buy another property right now , wait for the housing market to finish its self destruction , then buy you will get a home or condo for much less than the current price , it may be at a little higher interest , but hey what is better 187k at 6% or 80-90k at 7% , if you are paying cash then almost half price is better than full price with the high mark ups definitly wait on the housing , it is no where near over , there was too much greed from agents ,and builders in the market for this to be over this quick , I mean no other time in history could a 40k mill village house be sold for 100k+ way too much greed for an easy fall , and of course if housing fails more, and it will , the stock market goes too , they say it does not , but watch the market , when housing starts another slow painful death the market does too , there were way to many hands trying to profit off housing , and it is time to pay up , glad I got out of that game and have most of my property paid for , You can make some small investments in ,and around college towns , those kids with degrees will buy anything now matter how stupid it is , I backed a few clothing stores , and tripled my money in less than 5 years , it is amazing how the highly educated will buy anything the stores tell them they might need .