Allen Markel, REALTOR® · Texas Premier Realty

Buying

Rent vs. own

What your current rent could be buying you, and the equity difference over 5 years.

Many buyers start with 3% down — it's less than most people think.

A typical recent 30-year rate. Edit to your lender's quote.

Property tax: 2.25% typical in Harris County. Typical total rate for the 17,904 homes for sale in Harris County (median of their certified 2025 tax bills; most are between 2.13% and 2.51%). Add your ZIP for a closer figure.

Typical in Harris County: $80/mo (74% of homes for sale there list an HOA). Set 0 if yours has none.

Your rent could be buying

$264,318 of home

5 years of rent (gone)
$150,000
5 years of owning (est. equity built)
$27,611

Same monthly outlay, with the typical 2.25% property tax for Harris County, insurance, estimated PMI and your HOA included — before any home-value appreciation. Rent buys the landlord’s equity instead.

These homes cost about your rent each month.

Budgetary comparison, not financial advice. Owning has costs renting doesn’t (maintenance, repairs) and rewards renting can’t (equity, fixed principal & interest, appreciation). Talk it through with Allen and a lender.

Talk to a lender

These are the lenders Allen works with. For any lender you’d like to talk to, tap Make introduction — we’ll make the introduction for you.

Allen Markel is a licensed Texas REALTOR®, not a mortgage lender or loan originator. He does not quote rates or terms and does not decide whether you qualify — only a lender can do that. Introductions are a courtesy; you choose who to work with.

Numbers raising questions? Walk through them with a person.

Schedule time with Allen