Not long ago, I compared home prices vs inflation from 1970 to present day. I concluded that the 2008 housing crash really deflated a bubble that had been forming, between inflation and home values, and got the two back in sync.
I can’t imagine that a new bubble will start to form for at least 10 years...while the excess housing stock is still relatively new.
So this makes buying a house now somewhat unattractive. I do own my home and I realize there are a lot of advantages to ownership...but there are also a lot of costs and risk...and a 7% realtor fee to make the investment liquid.
Another factor is taxes. Sure renters pay taxes too...but its to the point where most people can’t retire in their own homes because of taxes, much less pass it down to their kids.
Bottom line, if I were 25 years old today, I would rent.