Buying vs Renting depends on your circumstances and your goals. If you plan to live in a home for a long time (over 5 years) then buying is a great way to invest your money. Real estate values go up and down, but over the long term, your property should appreciate in value. If you need a home for a short period, renting might make sense for you. You can let the landlord take care of the expenses like upkeep and taxes while you park your belongings there for a short while.
Market trends and economic changes can drive your decision about whether to rent of buy. If your market is slowing and there are indicators that a slowdown may be continuous, then you may want to sell your home now while prices are high, rent for a year or so and buy a new home while the prices are down. Although this could be a good investment strategy, most people are not willing to buy and sell their homes strictly based on the market. Also, homeowners do not always know in what direction the real estate market is headed. Your Realtor should be aware of the current trends and can help you make decisions about buying vs renting based on your needs.