Rent vs. Buy in Austin TX in 2026… My Answer May Be Controversial

Should you RENT or BUY a home in 2026? With mortgage rates around 7.2%, a lot of people are wondering whether buying a house still makes financial sense—or if renting is actually the smarter move right now. In this video, I break down the real numbers behind renting vs. buying, including monthly payments, interest rates, homeownership costs, and what buyers should consider before making a decision. If you're thinking about buying a home in Austin, Texas, don't automatically assume today's rates mean you should wait. Depending on the home, builder, incentives, financing, and how long you plan to stay, the numbers can look very different. 📲 Thinking about buying or moving to Austin? Call/Text me: 737-393-7427 📸 Instagram: @Tsession72 🏡 T.J. Session | Austin, Texas Realtor I post videos covering Austin real estate, new construction, home buying, builder incentives, mortgage payments, community tours, and what your money actually gets you in Texas. Subscribe if you're thinking about buying a home or moving to the Austin area. This video is for educational purposes. Mortgage rates, payments, taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and incentives can vary based on the buyer, property, lender, and market conditions. #RentVsBuy #AustinRealEstate #BuyingAHome #AustinTexas #MortgageRates #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #TexasRealEstate #homebuying2026 00:00 Renting vs Buying in 2026 00:49 Should You Even Buy a House? 02:03 The Truth About Buying in This Market 02:56 7.2% Rates & The Austin Housing Market 06:26 The REAL Numbers: Rent vs Buy 07:28 $400K Home Payment Breakdown 09:00 Hidden Costs: PMI, HOA & Maintenance 10:47 Rent vs Resale vs New Build 11:31 Who Has More Money After 10 Years? 13:04 The New Build Numbers Are CRAZY 14:01 The Part Nobody Tells Renters 14:26 What Could Change These Numbers? 15:21 The Truth About 3.99% Builder Rates 16:54 So… Should You Rent or Buy?