When Renting Wins

Renting isn't just "not losing" — it's actively winning in several situations.

If you might move within 5 years, buying almost never makes financial sense. Transaction costs alone (agent fees, closing costs, transfer taxes) can eat 6-9% of the sale price.

Renting also wins when you live in a high-cost market where the price-to-rent ratio exceeds 20. In cities like San Francisco or New York, it can be cheaper to rent and invest the difference than to buy. The math isn't emotional — it's just math.