Why I Sometimes Tell People NOT to Buy Houses

Most calculators oversimplify the answer—and that’s why so many people make the wrong choice. I’ll break it down with real numbers, side by side, so you can decide with confidence.

This episode is for anyone stuck between high rents and scary home prices. If you’ve ever wondered whether buying really builds wealth or if renting is smarter for now, this is the one to listen to.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• ✅ The mistake everyone makes: comparing only monthly payments
• ✅ A real 5-year cost breakdown: $2,500 rent vs $2,800 mortgage
• ✅ How equity, tax savings, and fixed payments make buying “rent control”
• ✅ Hidden rental costs—annual increases, moving, insurance, uncertainty
• ✅ The break-even formula I actually use in 2025
• ✅ When renting makes sense (short timelines, credit rebuild, price-to-rent ratios)
• ✅ Real case study: Jessica & Mark’s numbers and what changed their mind

By the end, you’ll know exactly when renting wins and when buying builds wealth.

👉 Want clarity on your own numbers? Get a free personalized rent vs buy analysis (no pitch, just math). Start here: teamellaportland.com