In 2025, the gap between renting and buying has never felt more visible. According to recent market data, renting a home in many U.S. cities can cost about $900 less per month than purchasing a starter home. At first glance, that makes renting look like the obvious financial win.
People are asking: Will mortgage rates drop soon — especially now that there's increasing chatter about a possible rate cut from the Federal Reserve. As of late 2025, 30-year fixed rates have dipped into the mid-6% range, and some analysts are cautiously optimistic about modest further declines.
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial moves you’ll ever make — and the details of your mortgage can add up fast. Many borrowers want to know: what can I tweak to get a better deal on my monthly payment and total interest costs? The good news: you actually have a few key levers that can make a noticeable difference.
Why This Question Keeps Coming Up With mortgage rates still hovering above historic lows, many prospective homebuyers are wondering: Should I wait for rates to come down before buying a home? It’s a fair question—and one that’s top of mind for anyone trying to make a smart financial move in today’s market. But the answer isn’t as simple as it might seem. Yes, rates matter. But focusing only on interest rates misses the bigger picture of what actually determines affordability in real-world home buying.
