I've been comparing rental yields and mortgage rates in my area for the past year, and the numbers keep pushing me toward renting over buying a home. With average prices up 18% since 2020 but rents rising only 9%, the math for owning just doesn't add up unless you're planning to stay put for 15+ years. A friend of mine bought a condo two years ago, and after maintenance, property taxes, and a special assessment, he's actually paying more per month than when he was renting a similar unit. The emotional appeal of ownership is strong, but so is the flexibility of renting, especially when job markets and life plans shift quickly. So, does buying a house still make sense for the average person today?