<prompt> Human: My lease is about to expire in January; my apartment complex offered 1000month up from 900 two years ago for 1yr. Comparable apartment complexes are now up to minimum 1300month.Using the NYT mortgage calculator it says I can get a mortgage at 3.5 with 20 downpayment on a condo close to work for 90,000 excellent credit. My monthly payment would be 270 on a comparable condo. Im going to be here at least another two years I am married.This seems insanely low; what am I missing?  <response>: Its often cheaper to buy than rent, despite what others say. Youre not missing anything. Though there are other fees youll need to pay upkeep, HOA, Taxes and Ins, youre better off buying given todays market. That said, condos are a terrible investment in my opinion. Youre at the whims of the association and bad management can really send your property value down the drain. Buy a single family detached, if you can, but Id buy a condo before I rented.One caveat... Buying doesnt make sense if you cant live in or rent out the property for 5 years depending on down-payment, mortgage term, and interest due to the interest and closing costs. 