Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988.

“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row,” according to data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com. “The median asking rent was $1,732, up by $15 from last month and down by $32 from the peak but is still $354 (25.7%) higher than the same time in 2019 (pre-pandemic).”

With rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially as rents continue to increase year after year. In contrast, homeowners with a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a monthly mortgage payment for the duration of their loan (typically 15-30 years). And, as home values typically rise over time and you pay off your mortgage, you build equity. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a home or continue renting, let’s connect to explore your options.