The All in One Mortgage - A Trap or a Hidden Gem?
Well, I’m biased because my wife and I just put one on our house after years of considering it. We have our reasons and we’re happy to discuss if you have questions. Here is a podcast audio file for you to learn on the go!
Traveling over the Holidays
Pop up Trailer Winter Camping, Ocean Fishing, Hot Springs - ing
Oho Caliente
Hooj fish. New Years Eve Port Aransas Texas. Who knew!?
Should I rent, or should I buy?
In Highlands Ranch, the "gap" between renting a 3-bedroom home and owning one is closing fast, and when you factor in equity, the "Rent vs. Buy" argument becomes a landslide.
Rent vs. Buy: The 5-Year Wealth Gap
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO | Property Value: $540,000
The Monthly Comparison
Average Rent (3-Bedroom Home): $2,950/mo
Based on current 2026 Highlands Ranch market data, rents for 3-bedroom single-family homes average nearly $3,000.
Your Mortgage (P&I at 6.5%): $2,731/mo
With 20% down, your principal and interest is actually $219 LESS than the average rent.
Feature Renting Owning ($540k Home)
Monthly Payment $2,950 $2,731 (P&I)
Annual Increases Historically 3–5% Fixed for 30 Years
Tax Benefits None Mortgage Interest Deductions
Who builds equity? Your Landlord YOU
The 5-Year Wealth Forecast
If you buy this $540,000 home today, here is what your financial position looks like in 5 years compared to renting.
1. Forced Savings (Principal Paydown)
Every month, a portion of that $2,731 payment goes toward your loan balance. After 60 months (5 years), you will have paid down approximately $32,000 in principal.
In a rental, that $32,000 is simply gone.
2. Market Appreciation (Equity Growth)
Highlands Ranch is a high-demand, land-locked community. Even at a conservative 4% annual appreciation rate:
Year 1 Value: $561,600
Year 3 Value: $607,400
Year 5 Value: $656,990
Total Appreciation Gain: ~$117,000
3. The Bottom Line: The $149,000 Swing
After 5 years of owning, between your principal paydown and your home’s appreciation, you have increased your net worth by roughly $149,000.
The Renter’s Result: If rent stays flat (unlikely), the renter has spent $177,000 in those 5 years with a $0 return.
Bottom line: I rented when I first came to Highlands Ranch in 2011 in order to get an idea of pricing, and what was here. I saw what was happening then and bought within the next year. But maybe you need information on the rental market? What are average rents? I can help as I pay for Altos Research data that tracks this and caculates it based on zip code. Give me a call!
Jason Zisk, Realtor®, Independent Broker, Freedom Team with eXp realty, 720-403-2770, www.highlandsranchrealtor.co (dot CO for COLORADO!)
I hate AI. I love AI
Does anyone else feel this way???
It’s tremendously helpful and a total pain in the butt.