Comprehensive Problem $14-68($LO $14-1,$ LO $14-2,$ LO $14-3,$ LO $14-4,$ LO $14-5,$ LO $14-6)($Static$)$

Skip to question

$[$The following information applies to the questions displayed below.$]$

Derek and Meagan Jacoby recently graduated from State University, and Derek accepted a job in business consulting while Meagan accepted a job in computer programming. Meagan inherited $$75,000$ from her grandfather, who recently passed away. The couple is debating whether they should buy or rent a home. They located a rental home that meets their needs. The monthly rent is $$2,250.$ They also found a three$-$bedroom home that would cost $$475,000$ to purchase. The Jacobys could use Meagan's inheritance for a down payment on the home. Thus, they would need to borrow $$400,000$ to acquire the home. They have the option of paying $2$ discount points to receive a fixed interest rate of $2\mathrm{.}5$ percent on the loan or paying no points and receiving a fixed interest rate of $3\mathrm{.}75$ percent for a $30-$year fixed loan.

Though anything could happen, the couple expects to live in the home for no more than five years before relocating to a different region of the country. Derek and Meagan don't have any school$-$related debt, so they will save the $$75,000$ if they don't purchase a home. Also, consider the following information:

The couple's marginal tax rate is $24$ percent.

Regardless of whether they buy or rent, the couple will itemize their deductions and have the ability to deduct all of the property taxes from the purchase of a residence.

If they buy, the Jacobys would purchase and move into the home on January $1,2024.$

If they buy the home, the property taxes for the year are $$3,600.$

Disregard loan$-$related fees not mentioned above.

If the couple does not buy a home, they will put their money into their taxable annuity account, where they earn $5$ percent annual interest.

Assume that all unstated costs are equal between the buy and rent options.

Help the Jacobys with their decisions by answering the following questions: