Before moving into my house, I rented a 2 bedroom apartment in the same town for $700/month. Low interest rates during Covid meant I could get a 30-yr fixed mortgage at 2.25%, and the mortgage payments would end up being cheaper than my rent. Rural development grants introduced a few restrictions on what houses I could choose, but made it possible to buy a house in my 20s with no down payment at all. Seemed like a no-brainer!