13
QuizMultiple Choice

Buying vs. Renting a Home

Question 13 • ****Spring 2026 Financial Math - MA2007 MQS21QXV

Miguel wants to buy a condominium. He has the choice of buying it now or renting it with the option to buy at the end of 3 years. If he buys it now, it will cost him $6,000 to close and his mortgage payment will be $726 per month. If he rents, he must pay a move-in cost of one month's rent and a security deposit of $2,000. Miguel decides to rent because it is the cheapest option over the first 3 years. To the nearest dollar, what is the maximum amount of monthly rent payment he could pay?

Answer
A
$670
B
$782
C
$814
D
$837

Explanation

Buying costs $6,000 upfront plus 36 mortgage payments of $726: $6,000 + (36 × $726) = $32,136. Over 3 years, rent totals 36 monthly payments, including the first month's rent paid at move-in, plus the $2,000 security deposit. So the break-even monthly rent is ($32,136 − $2,000) ÷ 36 ≈ $837.11, making $837 the maximum amount to the nearest dollar. The correct choice is $837.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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