Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now?
- Charles "Skip" Geiser
- 15 hours ago
- 8 min read
You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question a lot of people are asking.
With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that.
But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough.
It’s what each choice does for your future.
What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)
Depending on your situation, renting does have some advantages:
Lower upfront costs.
Less responsibility.
More flexibility to move when you want.
But even with those benefits, a Bank of America survey found 70% of aspiring homeowners worry about what long-term renting means for their future. And that concern comes down to one thing: you’re not building anything for your future. As Yahoo Finance explains:
“Paying rent doesn't build equity. You get a place to live, but no ownership stake, no price appreciation, and no asset to leverage for future borrowing or investment.”
So, while renting may feel easier, the flexibility you get comes at a cost.
How Homeownership Builds Your Wealth Over Time
On the other hand, owning a home is one of the most consistent ways people build wealth over time. Why? When you’re a homeowner, you gain something called equity. That’s the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe.
That equity grows with every monthly payment you make. It also gets a boost as home values go up through the years – and it adds up quicker than you may think.
Today, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says the average homeowner’s net worth is 43X greater than that of a renter:
The dollars in the visual don’t lie. On average, here’s how net worth compares:
Homeowners: $430k
Renters: $10k
And it’s not because homeowners make wildly different decisions day to day. It’s because over time, one path builds something, and the other doesn’t.
So sure, buying comes with some upfront costs and more responsibility. But it’s basically a savings account you can live in.
The Gap Is Growing Over Time
And here’s something else interesting. That net worth gap between renters and homeowners has been widening over time, not shrinking.
If you look back at the reports on net worth through the years, you can see the gap is growing as homeowners gain wealth and renters stay stuck in the rental trap (see graph below):
Even in 2025, when home prices were moderating, homeowners still gained even more ground. And that tells you something important:
When you can afford it and you’re ready for the responsibility, history shows buying is usually worth it in the long run. Because either way, you’re paying for someone’s mortgage and building someone’s net worth.
When you rent, it’s your landlord’s mortgage – not yours. But when you buy? Your monthly payments help build equity.
The question is: whose do you want to pay? Yours or theirs?
So, Should You Buy a Home Now?
The short answer is, it depends on your situation.
While the long-term benefits of buying are clear, that doesn’t mean the timing is right for everyone right now. And that’s okay. You should only buy a home once you’re ready and the numbers work for you.
But whether you’re looking to buy now or planning for the future, the first step is the same. You should have a quick conversation with a local real estate agent about your goals, timeline, and budget.
They can help you run the numbers and see what’s realistic. You may find buying is closer than you thought. And if not, you’ll at least know exactly what it will take to get there.
Because the sooner you have a plan, the sooner you can decide when it makes sense, instead of wondering if it ever will.
Bottom Line
Renting may feel more do-able today. But over time, it could cost you.
If you want to ditch renting and start building something for your future, it starts with a simple conversation. Let’s connect, talk about your specific goals, and explore your options – so you’re ready when the time is right for you.
Today's Pensacola Realtors MLS Information
2848 ^ (30)
Low $60,000 - High $5,250,000
Above $600,000
591 ^ (3)
$500,000 - $599,999
213 ^ (6)
$400,000 - $499,999
355 ^ (10)
$300,000 - $399,999
728 v (3)
$200,000 - $299,999
642 ^ (2)
$100,000 - $199,999
296 ^ (11)
Under $99,999
23 ^ (1)
RED is UP Black Remained the Same Green is DOWN
Current Mortgage Rate
30 YR Fixed 6.32% (.00%) 15 YR Fixed 5.96% (-.01%)
Current Mortgage Rates
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Think Your Smart?
Done...What Most Religions Don't Tell You About The Bible
Cary Schmidt's Introduction of Done
Don't Worry About Dying...You Will Live Forever...
It's All About Location, Location, Location!
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for us to be saved from this sinful world. Time is at Hand and while it is not too late, secure your salvation.
If you don’t know how to secure salvation, this simple easy to follow “ABCs of Salvation” will guide you on how to accept genuinely Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior to secure salvation for you to surely go to Heaven.
But before going through the steps you might ask: Why do I need to Secure Salvation? And why do I need to go to heaven? This because:
You might be wealthy but it cannot be exchanged for your soul.
Whatever you have here on earth, they are nothing and there is no forever on Earth.
Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything else.
It is appointed that we will die physicaly and we will be judged (Hebrews 9:27).
You only have two destinations: Heaven or Hell
Hell has no exit and Heaven has only one door – Jesus
So how to secure salvation?
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
C – CONFESS with your mouth
D – DEPART from evil
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
We all have sinned.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
And no matter how you try to be good, you will still fail.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Romans 3:23 KJV
You are still unclean.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.Isaiah 64:6 KJV
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to save us. And through His blood, our sins washed away.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:16 KJV
Only by His grace and not by works.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV
There is no other way but only through Jesus Christ alone.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6 KJV
God commended His love toward us.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8 KJV
If we have Jesus Christ living in us, we will live eternally.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.1 John 5:12 KJV
In the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.1 Corinthians 5:3-5 KJV
By the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Titus 3:5-7 KJV
C – CONFESS with your mouth
Now that you accepted that you are a sinner and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, confess with your mouth your sins and that you believe in Him. Let Him come to you and accept Him as your Lord and personal Savior.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9 KJV
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:9-11 KJV
Now do the Sinner’s Prayer:
Holy, thoughtful, gracious, and Heavenly Father, I recognize and acknowledge I am a miscreant not deserving of your grace and I ask forgiveness of my sins. I know your son is the truth the light and the way, I give myself freely to His control and welcome him into my heart. I ask you to walk with me and guide me, teach me your way and your truth. Thank you for the gift of your Son’s sacrifice on the cross that I may live. Thank you for your forgiveness and for accepting me as your child. Amen.
Now that you are saved and you have Jesus Christ living in you, you should not stop there. What is next? Follow Him, His words, submit yourself, and don’t forget to
D – DEPART from evil
This is not part of the step to secure salvation but it is a way of proving yourself that you are now truly of Christ. Forget your past and follow Him.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalms 34:14 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
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This article provides information and opinions but is not meant as investment advice. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser, Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing or Rob Brooks Realty does not assure the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions presented here. It is important to conduct your own research, due diligence, and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser, Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing or Rob Brooks Realty is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from relying on the information or opinions in this article.
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