Buying your own home will reduce your taxable income(a benefit in the now,) and will give you a more certain understanding of future housing expenses, and may even give you and your family a sense of security, but in order to be a better bet financially vs. renting, you practically need a high level of appreciation.  

@Edwin Silie Most of the advice I have received is to focus mostly on the practice exams, so if you haven't yet purchased one, I definitely would.

Make sure the attorney practice real estate.

you can rent practically anything if it is priced right. 

I assume it's not common practice, but has anyone heard of / had experience with deferring all of the points and rates until the end?

 walking in and lying to a seller seems to be an acceptable practice by some.  

Its also risky because its practicing real estate without a license. 

My jaw practically hit the floor, and I had to brace myself, because I felt so badly for this elderly lady who was so proud of her stability."

In practice, I don't know how well this works of course.Regarding the noise, have there been complaints for you? 

In my CPA practice I got very used to clients disclosing the most intimate details of their financial life to me, and the public's attitude towards realtors is surprising and upsetting.