When Buying Wins

Buying makes strong financial sense when several conditions align: you'll stay 5+ years, you can afford the true all-in costs (not just the mortgage), and local rents are high relative to purchase prices. Homeownership also acts as a forced savings plan. Most people won't discipline themselves to invest the rent-vs-buy difference every month.

There's also a tax angle: mortgage interest is deductible if you itemize. And over 20-30 years, inflation erodes your fixed payment while rents keep climbing. Your $2,200 payment in 2025 will feel a lot cheaper in 2045 dollars — your rate is locked, but the dollars paying it shrink every year.