First we have to stop living in denial about the definition of “ownership”. As long as we continue to fund government through perpetual property taxes the decline will continue. You can’t own reestate in the US, so you will never own your home. Homeowners are nothing but glorified renters.
I may be a glorified renter, but when I sell my property is worth twice more than what I paid for it. With that money, I can move to a place with lower property taxes, and pay for it in full with my equity. As a renter, you do not have that luxury.
If you have a job that is not stable, and you want mobility, then rent. if you have a family, with a stable job, and plan to live in the area for a long time, then buy.
Twice in my life we sold a house, took the gain, and moved to a bigger house in a better neighborhood.
Perhaps I should have given the money to the real owner