[mancerayder]

There are pros and cons to home ownership - this article is both U.S.-centric and focused on the cons.

Obviously maintenance costs are high, maintenance is time-consuming, and transaction costs buying and selling are insane. I'll add one - property tax will turn that high income tax (especially in an expensive blue state like CA or NY) and add a massive additional tax, easily transforming that 35-45 percent of income into 55-60 or more, a math absolutely no one does when comparing taxes with W European ones which are supposedly much higher.

Here are pros and why you should probably buy:

If you want a house in a low density but in demand area, you won't find anything for rent. Because appreciation goes up, because renting gets more expensive every year, because lease renewal every year is a stressful waiting game and decision point, because renters subsidize owners via interest tax deduction.

And most importantly, you are free to do what you want inside your house. Just avoid HOAs.