Yeah I agree with the two previous posts in a big way. For sure there are alot of ifs out there but if rates are gonna be sky high someday than there is no doubt in my mind that borrowing money at 4.5% will be looked back on as a GOLDEN opportunity unless you have a big big cashpile.
As far as your A,B,C in ranking the factors of choosing a home I guess I choose none of them. I would choose the home I love the most IFF (if and only if) I can afford it and am secure in my income to pay for it (job security). I think that the ABC you put forward all will roll into how much I love it.
Think of the home as a woman, do you love her for her looks, personality, and other fetching features? Isnt it all kind of a blend of all of those things? So maybe the ABCs of the home you mentioned all roll into that as well as the neighborhood, the lot, the traffic on the street, other needs that may be important to YOU but maybe not others.
For alot of people the universal renting solution is best for THEM. It works, they love it, they are okay with landlords, and notowing the home. To each his own!