In this episode of Money Made Simple, Jennie and Liv tackle the common Kiwi dilemma: Should you rent forever, or is it better to save up and buy your own home? They unpack the real-world costs on both sides (not just mortgage vs rent), discuss the lifestyle trade-offs, and how today’s market settings can tilt the decision either way. You'll get a run down of general ownership expenses, rent realities, and practical ways to stress-test what’s right for you and your whānau. This episode covers:

• The latest NZ home-ownership and house pricing trends - and what they might mean for first-time buyers
• The upfront and ongoing costs of owning a house, vs renting it
• How to compare a “typical” mortgage on a $1m home with current rent levels in big centres 
• Lifestyle trade-offs: flexibility and predictability of renting vs stability and control of owning 
• A simple framework to help you decide what fits your budget, goals and season of life 

Resources included in this episode:

- REINZ monthly housing market data

- Statistics NZ Census data on home ownership

- CoreLogic's Housing Affordability report

- MoneyHub's guide to home insurance

- Sorted.org's Home Buying Guide

By the end of this episode, you'll hopefully have a clearer idea of the pros and cons of renting vs buying, along with a realistic view of the actual costs for each so you can make your own informed decision!

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Disclaimer: This podcast contains personal opinions and is intended to provide educational information only. It doesn't relate to your particular financial situation or goals and is not financial advice or recommendations. Simplicity New Zealand Limited is the issuer of the Simplicity KiwiSaver scheme and investment funds. For product disclosure statements please visit Simplicity's website simplicity. kiwi.