“Should I buy or rent?” is usually the wrong first question.
The better question is: what does each path cost, what flexibility do you need, and what risk are you accepting?
The buy side
Buying can make sense when the property fits your life for several years, the payment is durable, and the ownership costs do not consume every dollar of flexibility.
Look beyond the mortgage:
- Property tax
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Condo fees, if applicable
- Closing costs
- Land transfer tax
- Cash reserve after closing
The rent side
Renting can make sense when flexibility has real value, ownership would force a poor property choice, or the monthly spread is too wide.
Rent is not “throwing money away” if buying would create worse financial stress or force you into the wrong home.
The comparison
Compare:
- Monthly rent vs full ownership cost
- Cash tied up in down payment
- Expected time in the home
- Job/location flexibility
- Maintenance responsibility
- Market downside risk
- Quality of life difference
The 2026 caveat
Interest rates, inventory, rent levels, and local price trends can change quickly. Do not use stale assumptions.
{{TODO: add current rate assumptions, rent comps, ownership-cost examples, and TRREB/local inventory data before publishing as a current market article.}}
This is general information only, not mortgage, tax, legal, or financial advice.