Should You Buy or Rent in 2026?(THE TRUTH)

In this raw, no-BS conversation with Minh Nguyen, we expose the real math behind today’s housing market — mortgage payments, down payments, interest rates, and why the gap between renting and owning is bigger than ever, especially in California. We break down: • Why “waiting for the perfect time” usually backfires • When renting actually makes sense (and when it’s a trap) • When buying is still the smarter long-term move • How inflation quietly destroys people who stay on the sidelines From Prop 13 and Prop 19 to ADUs, DSCR loans, and real wealth-building strategies, this episode cuts through the hype and tells you what no one else is saying about housing in 2026. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 00:22 - Renting vs. Buying 02:35 - Prop 19 Overview 05:08 - Understanding Prop 13 06:51 - Mileage Tax Explained 08:59 - Current Gas Prices 09:39 - Funding an ADU 13:36 - HELOCs Explained 16:42 - The Impact of the 4-Plex Law 20:09 - Trump and Mortgage Rates 21:58 - Trump’s Influence on Real Estate 24:20 - Market Predictions for 2020 25:33 - Jerome Powell's Replacement 27:34 - Average Mortgage Payment Insights 30:10 - Money Management Skills 32:40 - Importance of Critical Thinking 34:20 - Saving for a Down Payment 35:57 - ADU Appraisal Process 40:50 - Property Comping Techniques 44:10 - ADUs Value Without Superpowers 47:40 - Market Outlook for Next 60 Days 53:02 - Rise of DSCR Fraud 54:34 - What is a DSCR Loan? 56:25 - DSCR HELOCs Explained 59:57 - No Credit Score Discrimination 1:04:37 - Middle Class Housing Benefits 1:05:44 - Income Needed for a $900k Home 1:09:01 - Eliminating MI Without Refinancing 1:17:45 - Questions for the Host 1:19:35 - Importance of Multiple Income Streams 1:21:20 - Hosting an In-Person Event 1:21:54 - Significance of a Living Trust 1:23:30 - Key Implementations 1:25:50 - Prenuptial Agreements 1:27:58 - Future Planning Considerations 1:28:14 - Understanding Mortgages 1:28:37 - Outro