CHAPTER 2 To Buy or Not t y or Not to Buy (Or, Should Y , Should You Keep Paying Rent to Someone o Someone's Retirement Fund?) Let’s get real—few things spark more debate than the classic Rent vs. Buy dilemma. It’s right up there with “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” and “Do I really need matching socks?” But seriously, deciding whether to keep renting or jump into homeownership is a huge life move. So let’s break it down—pros, cons, myths, realities—and add just a sprinkle of humor so your eyes don’t glaze over. The Dream: Homeownership, Sweet Homeownership Ah yes, the good ol’ American Dream. A white picket fence, a dog named Scout, and mortgage payments that make you feel very grown up. Homeownership is tied into everything we think of as “making it.” Stability. Security. Social status. And the ability to paint your walls neon green just because you can. In fact, 66% of Americans own their homes—and the other 34% probably spend way too much time on Zillow dreaming about it. Fun fact: According to a recent survey, the #1 reason millennials buy homes isn’t marriage, kids, or job security. It’s dogs. That’s right. Fido may just be the best financial motivator out there. Lifestyle Check: Are You in a Renting Phase or a Buying Phase? Most people start out renting—it’s flexible, affordable, and you don’t have to fix the water heater at 2 AM. But as careers stabilize, savings grow (ideally), and families form (or dogs are adopted), buying starts to make more sense.
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