Assignment task: Prior to completing this discussion forum, read Chapters 9 and 10 in your textbook, 15 Things to Think About Before Renting Your First Apartment, and Renting vs. Buying a Home: This Is Exactly How to Decide Which Is Best. Next, search The Wall Street Journal for articles and videos about renting and buying trends. Consider whether renting or buying a home is the best approach to achieving your long-term financial goals. Use the text concepts, tools, and various data (housing rental costs, home sale prices, mortgage rates, etc.) available on your geographic area, and your current and future financial condition to analyze your rent or purchase potential. Research. A good webpage you may want to look at is Free Online Tools to Help You Decide How Much Rent You Can Afford . Remember to account for any future increase or decrease in costs, mortgage debt, closing costs, insurance, appreciation or loss, taxes, or other factors related to your decision. Determine which would be best for you now and in the future. In your post, address the following questions: What did you find out about renting versus buying in your area? Why is renting or buying a better decision for you at this time and in the future? What influenced your opinion?