Renting and investing the difference beats rushing into a home purchase right now, which is good news for anyone feeling pressured to buy.

• Most people who say they want a house do not actually need one yet.
• Renting and saving the gap between rent and a mortgage builds a bigger down payment over three to five years.
• That invested money has time to grow before you lock it into a house.
• The better moment to buy comes when interest rates fall or sellers outnumber buyers.

Outlook: Waiting for lower rates and a buyer-friendly market is the stronger play unless you truly need to buy now.