[LapsangGuzzler]

> I'll just keep renting, I guess, since it makes no difference.

There’s no way that the tax burden offsets the equity you would build by owning property vs renting.

95% of my mortgage payment goes toward paying down principal on the loan, which is essentially value I get to keep. Not to mention that my housing costs are much more fixed compared to rent.

Paying rent provides zero value retention in the long run, its only real benefit is flexibility.

[tired-turtle]

This stance is predicated on interest rates. Taking out a mortgage is currently not the clear cut “right choice.” It might be the optimal choice, but consider, for a loan issued today at over 6%, twice as much money over the lifetime of the loan will be go towards interest as will go toward principle.

[LapsangGuzzler]

True, but you always have opportunity to refinance once rates come back down.