I think there are many reasons, some more rational than others.
1 - everyone is long housing, and sfbay has had major price swings. Buying a house caps what you'll pay. I lived in a neighborhood in sf where market rents for my apartment went from $2200 to at least $2700/mo in a little over a year and a half.
2 - the US, via mortgage interest deduction, privileges home ownership
3 - california in particular privileges home ownership by basically freezing property taxes
4 - rental stock in california is often complete shit. If you don't want to hear your neighbors walking or running the bathroom fan or etc... you probably need to buy a home.
5 - good luck finding a 3 bedroom rental, which is highly desirable if you have 2 kids
6 - if you have good credit, a $1mm house in the peninsula costs roughly (within $700/mo) what rent does on a similar apartment
7 - want to have a dog? Good luck with that in a rental.
8 - want to not have to ask permission for X, Y, or Z while paying $3500+/mo? Don't live in a rental.
1 - everyone is long housing, and sfbay has had major price swings. Buying a house caps what you'll pay. I lived in a neighborhood in sf where market rents for my apartment went from $2200 to at least $2700/mo in a little over a year and a half.
2 - the US, via mortgage interest deduction, privileges home ownership
3 - california in particular privileges home ownership by basically freezing property taxes
4 - rental stock in california is often complete shit. If you don't want to hear your neighbors walking or running the bathroom fan or etc... you probably need to buy a home.
5 - good luck finding a 3 bedroom rental, which is highly desirable if you have 2 kids
6 - if you have good credit, a $1mm house in the peninsula costs roughly (within $700/mo) what rent does on a similar apartment
7 - want to have a dog? Good luck with that in a rental.
8 - want to not have to ask permission for X, Y, or Z while paying $3500+/mo? Don't live in a rental.