<prompt> Human: We may have to move to Silver Spring, MD, later this year. We will want to be there for three years or so. Were trying to figure out whether buying or renting would be to our greatest advantage. The lowest cost acceptable houses in that area that area range between 450k and 550k. Rents on small, two-bedroom apartments about 1,000 sq. ft. will cost right at or just under 2000 a month. Houses 1,400 sq. ft. and up start at about 2500. Our income will be about 150k.We will have anywhere from 300k to 400k to put down, meaning that for a minimally acceptable home wed have to finance between 50k and 250k. One site I found claims that home prices in that area have been appreciating at a rate of 5 annually. Mortgage payment on 250k would be about 1200, and that of course doesnt include taxes and insurance. Taxes would be as much as 7,088 annually. Insurance Im not sure of.So does anyone have enough knowledge about real estate in that area to venture an informed opinion as to whether financially the best decision would be to buy or rent for a period of 3 or 4 years? Selling a house, of course, involves the broker fee of probably 6 and whatever other fees and taxes go with it, so theres a lot to consider.  <response>: Closing costs in Montgomery County are going to kill you. Rent. 