Maybe treating housing as an investment was a mistake
Interesting read. However, the author misses some important motivations why people choose to buy instead of renting. For example, I don‘t expect it to generate much value for myself, but for my kids, as they will inherit it one day. Imagine not having to choose between renting or buying a home in the first place. That’s the start I want to provide my kids with. I thinks it’s a good one.The other reason why I chose to buy is self-discipline. Yes, renting typically leaves you with some money at the end of the month that you can use to invest in the stock market - which oftentimes yields more benefits in the long run over buying (and financing) a home. But that’s just theory. In practice, many people (and I’m including myself here) will use the extra money not to invest in stocks etc. but to consume at a higher level - to buy the more expensive car, to take the more expensive trip, eat out for dinner a lot etc. Knowing that I rather chose to buy and finance a home because that way I am forced to spend my money in something that even my kids will benefit from rather than consuming it.