Don’t buy a house.
I’m curious why you say that, unless you mean in today’s market. Sure, it’s expensive and often something needs fixed. But it sure beats paying inflated rent to someone else to live surrounded by methheads, folks with kids that literally bounce off the walls all day, and/or older folks that go to bed at 6pm and complain if you make a peep after 6.
Personally, I like my house, as spendy as it is. I’d amend your statement to say “don’t buy a house you can’t afford, do your homework and research”.
Buying is not always cheaper than renting. You’re on the hook for closing costs, ongoing maintenance, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, PMI, etc. Then if you’re only living somewhere for a few years you have to pay real estate agent fees to sell. Depending on length of ownership it can very easily be cheaper to rent. Plus you can’t just up and leave like you can at the end of a lease. Renting is far more flexible and that’s attractive for some people.
There’s also something to be said for paying more to live in a house rather than an apartment for the reasons you listed, but the same math above applies to renting vs. buying a single family home, or some other standalone housing.
My mortgage is cheaper than any rent I could get in my city and interest paid on said mortgage is tax deductable.
Renting is fine and dandy, but most people want someplace stable after their 30s
I don’t disagree at all. Renting can be more practical for many people for many reasons. The reverse is true for many others that want to buy a house, like me. It’s just the original comment “Don’t buy a house” isn’t necessarily a life lesson, more like ymmv.
