Renting is not putting your life on hold. Consider that most buyers only live in their houses less than 5 years. That sounds like speculating with ownership to me.

The key is not owning or renting but affording a lifestyle that bring you pleasure and rewards. If you rent a nice house that’s affordable and invest the savings, then you’re building on your future.

What does it matter if the landlord owns the house or the bank owns the house? From the inhabitants’ perspective, it’s their net worth that counts.

The argument that not buying is “holding your breath” is not holding water to me.

Yeah, it’s the sellers who are “holding their breath” right now. 🙂

PS: I own a house but that’s only because I bought it many years ago. I would rent rather than buy today.