[Cthulhu_]

Pretty much this. The interest rates on both sides seem just thought up on the spot to prove his own point.

Second, if I were to buy a house, I'd first go to my bank to check what kinda mortgage I could get, see how much that would cost me a month, and only then find a house.

Third, can't really compare rental homes with bought homes around here (netherlands); rentals are usually apartments and the like, while bought houses are... well, real houses.

Fourth, you get more house for the same amount, or pay less in mortgage/interest when you buy a house. I choose to rent for now, because the main advantage over renting vs buying is flexibility. I can give my landlady a one month notice and I'm outta here. Not so with buying a house; you've got to sell it, and hope that you can use that money to pay off your mortgage, or whatever. You're pretty much stuck on a 25-30 year mortgage if you get one.