“Buying is always better” isn’t true. The right answer depends on time horizon + monthly payment risk + neighborhood trend.

Step 1: Understand the market cycle you’re buying into

Dallas sales data shows homes taking longer to sell and price growth modest in late 2025.
Meanwhile, Zillow’s value index has shown a year-over-year dip.
That combination often signals: less bidding-war pressure and more negotiation room.

Step 2: Your break-even timeline (simple rule)

Buying tends to win when you plan to stay long enough to offset:

• closing costs

• moving costs

• maintenance + repairs

• interest-heavy early mortgage years

In a market with longer days on market, you can sometimes buy with better terms—if you negotiate correctly.

Step 3: Dallas-specific tie-breakers

Buying may be smarter if:

• you’re stable in Dallas for 5+ years

• you can negotiate concessions (closing costs / rate buydown)

• you’re targeting an area with stronger demand pockets (micro-market matters)

Renting may be smarter if:

• you’re unsure about job/location

• you’d be “payment-stretched” at today’s rates

• you want flexibility while the market sorts itself out nationally

A practical Dallas move many buyers miss

Instead of hunting only for “lowest price,” hunt for:

• listings sitting 30+ days

• homes with cosmetic issues (paint, landscaping) vs structural issues

• sellers who already moved (more motivated)