March 2026 Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment. But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking…  expensive , especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle. That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you'd expect based on what’s changed recently. Buying Is More Affordable Than Renting in Many Areas  In a lot of places today, owning a home actually costs less each month than renting a 3-bedroom home.  and recent   data   from  A TTOM   shows   that’s true in nearly 58% of counties across the U.S.  ( see chart below ). And that's  after  you factor in things like insurance and typical maintenance costs.  In o...

Why do Homes Listed with Professional Real Estate Photos Sell Quicker and For More Money?

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If you are planning to list your home for sale, you probably already know that you need to prepare your home for the market. The point is to create the most attractive, welcoming version of your home to entice buyers into the home and encourage offers. Your listing needs attention also! Professional photography is the best way to attract those buyers and to ensure you get the best possible price in the shortest timeframe. Most buyers now start their home search online. Online listings with professional photography receive significantly more views than those without. Buyers tend to linger on the site longer as well. Professional photographers do far more than snap pictures with the right lens. They understand how to create the right emotional response in the viewers. They have experience working with listings and homes and normally they specialize in real estate. You already know that homes must be staged to some degree for sale. Buyers must be able to envision themselves living in your home. Photography is about lighting and angles. A good photographer can bring out the best in your home by using these techniques in their shots. Professional pictures can play with light and position to allow your home to appear spacious and bright. Professional photography is no longer reserved for luxury property listings. More and more agents are seeing the value of beautiful pictures. Make sure your home stands out among the sea of listings as potential buyers sort through properties online. Professional photography will help you sell your home faster and for a higher sales price than those without. Present your home in the best possible light to attract those buyers and encourage them to visit and write you an offer.

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