50. The Tax Benefits of Buying a House in 2026: What Homeownership Actually Saves You at Tax Time

If you've heard that owning a home comes with big tax write-offs, the real answer is more nuanced than that. I'm breaking down exactly what's tax deductible when you own a home (mortgage interest, discount points, and property taxes) plus the 2026 SALT cap change that just raised how much homeowners can deduct. I'll also walk through the difference between itemizing and taking the standard deduction, and why I don't think you should buy a house for the tax benefits alone. Quick disclaimer: I'm not a tax professional or CPA. This is general education, not tax advice. Talk to an accountant about your specific situation. Ready to take the first step of finding your first home? Connect with a FAME agent in your area (it's free!) WHAT YOU'LL LEARN TODAY: The two main categories of homeowner tax deductions: mortgage interest and property taxes How discount points and home equity line of credit interest can also count as deductions What changed with the 2026 SALT cap (property tax deduction limits went up under the "Big Beautiful Bill") The difference between the standard deduction and itemizing — and how to know which one actually saves you money Why your Form 1098 matters at tax time and where to find it Why I don't recommend buying a home based on the tax benefits alone RESOURCES MENTIONED: Connect with a FAME agent in your area (free) Free homebuying masterclass How much house can I afford? Workbook CONNECT WITH ME: Follow me on Instagram Visit my website CHAPTERS: 00:00 — What tax benefits do you actually get from buying a house? 01:26 — The two types of homeowner tax deductions: mortgage interest and property taxes 02:10 — How mortgage interest and amortization work (and why it's deductible) 04:29 — Property taxes and the new 2026 SALT cap change 06:03 — Standard deduction vs. itemizing, explained with real numbers 08:48 — Where to find your Form 1098 09:17 — Why I wouldn't buy a house for the tax benefits alone