Financial Insights

With interest rates stabilizing but home prices remaining high, 2025 presents a unique dilemma. We analyze the math behind renting vs buying in the current market.

Confused by complex calculators? The 5% Rule is a powerful heuristic to quickly estimate the unrecoverable costs of homeownership.

The mortgage payment is just the beginning. Discover the silent budget-killers that catch new homeowners by surprise.

We debunk the most common real estate myth. Learn why renting can actually be a savvy investment strategy if you do it right.

How long do you need to stay in a home to make buying worth it? We explain how to find your personal 'Break-Even Horizon'.

Discover the hidden costs of homeownership in 2025 and learn why renting might be the more financially savvy choice. Our in-depth analysis covers everything from maintenance and repairs to property taxes and insurance.

Everything you need to know about buying your first home in 2026, from determining affordability to closing day and beyond.

Housing markets vary dramatically across the US. Discover which states favor homeownership and which make renting the smarter choice.

Learn how mortgage rates work and discover proven strategies to secure the lowest possible rate for your home purchase.

The mortgage is just the beginning. Discover all the costs of homeownership that can add 50-100% to your monthly housing expenses.

Renting isn't throwing money away. Learn how renters can build more wealth than homeowners through strategic investing.

Learn the most common and expensive home buying mistakes and how to avoid them to save tens of thousands of dollars.

The down payment is often the biggest barrier to homeownership. Discover strategies and programs to help you reach your goal faster.

The rent vs buy decision looks different at every age. Learn what makes sense for your twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond.

The rent vs buy decision isn't universal—it's hyper-local. What makes perfect sense in Pittsburgh could be financial suicide in San Francisco. Let's break down where buying actually makes sense.

The bank just pre-approved you for $500,000. But here's the dirty secret: banks tell you the maximum you can borrow, not the maximum you should borrow. Those are very different numbers.

Every time I tell someone I rent, I get the same response: 'But you're just throwing money away!' No, I'm not. I'm paying for housing, just like homeowners pay for housing. The difference is how we're doing it and what we're doing with the money we save.

I've watched a lot of people buy homes over the years. Some did it smart. Others... not so much. And the mistakes I see people make aren't small—they're the kind that cost tens of thousands of dollars or lock you into years of financial stress.