Agreed with all, but it’s worth noting that “renting has to be at least a bit more expensive than owning” is true only on average over long time periods. These particular markets are imperfect, distorted by legal/tax weirdness, and fairly opaque. So there are almost certainly periods of many years in many locations, where renting is cheaper than owning. But that requires specific analysis, not a general pro or con.
Agreed with all, but it’s worth noting that “renting has to be at least a bit more expensive than owning” is true only on average over long time periods. These particular markets are imperfect, distorted by legal/tax weirdness, and fairly opaque. So there are almost certainly periods of many years in many locations, where renting is cheaper than owning. But that requires specific analysis, not a general pro or con.