But buying and then selling four years later complicates things since it narrows the window for saving money. Just being practical about it, going to school is a short-term purchase. Buying won't pay off for everybody, and for the majority of renters the savings won't be significant. Sue Pilarski, manager of off-campus housing at the University, argues that if students can get the money together for a down payment, it works as far as money is concerned. Buying a home, said Pilarski, isn't something young people think about because it isn't part of the natural progression they go through.
Students go from living in a residence hall to living on their own and renting.