Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off (Even When Renting Feels Easier)

Let’s be honest — renting can feel like the easier option right now.

No surprise repairs. No property taxes. No worrying about interest rates. You pay your rent, submit a maintenance request when something breaks, and move on with life.

And I completely understand why a lot of people are leaning that direction.

But here’s the part I want to make sure you don’t overlook:

Renting may feel simpler today — but it doesn’t build your future. Homeownership does.

If you’ve been wondering whether buying a home still makes sense, especially in this market, the long-term math is still very clear: owning a home is one of the strongest wealth-building tools available to everyday families.

Renting vs. Owning: What’s Really Happening With Your Monthly Payment

When you rent, your payment goes to your landlord — and it’s gone.

When you own, part of your monthly payment comes back to you over time through equity. Equity is the portion of the home you actually own, and it grows in two ways:

1. Home value appreciation (your home becomes worth more over time)
2. Mortgage payoff (each payment reduces what you owe)

So yes, renting might look “cheaper” in the short term — but over time it comes with a major cost: you’re not building any ownership or financial return.

The Long-Term Difference Is Bigger Than Most People Realize

A recent analysis from First American compared the long-term financial impact of renting versus owning across several different timeframes — including markets that were tough, markets that were booming, and everything in between.

They studied homeownership starting in:

• 2006 (housing bubble era)
• 2015 (10 years ago)
• 2019 (pre-pandemic)
• 2022 (when rates jumped sharply)

And across every single timeframe, two things were consistently true:

✅ Homeowners gained wealth over time ❌ Renters lost money over time

Even after factoring in the real costs of owning — taxes, repairs, maintenance, insurance — homeowners still came out ahead because of equity growth.

That’s the part people don’t talk about enough.

The Real Secret: Time Creates the Wealth

Buying a home isn’t about getting a “perfect deal” or timing the market perfectly.

It’s about getting in the game and letting time do what it always does: build equity.

And the longer you stay in the home, the bigger the gap becomes between renting and owning.

In other words: Time in the market beats timing the market.

"But Joshua… Buying Still Feels Out of Reach.”

I hear this all the time — and I get it.

The past few years have been hard. Rates rose quickly, affordability tightened, and many buyers felt like homeownership got farther away overnight.

But here’s the good news: things are starting to shift.

Mortgage rates have eased from recent highs. Price growth is moderating in many areas. And incomes have been rising.

Zillow also reports that monthly payments have improved slightly compared to last year, not dramatically — but enough to make a difference for many families who are on the edge of being ready.

Is buying suddenly easy? No. But is it more realistic than it was a year ago? Absolutely.

The Bottom Line

Renting may feel less expensive right now — but homeownership is what builds long-term wealth.

And as affordability begins to improve, more opportunities are opening back up for buyers who thought they’d have to wait for years.

If you’re curious what buying could look like for you — even if you’re not ready today — I’d be happy to help you map out a game plan and run real numbers for your situation.

No pressure. Just clarity.

— Joshua Mills Mills Real Estate Group | Fort Worth, Texas