Also property taxes -- and in many cities condo / co-op fees. I find it odd to see people stretching themselves to the limit to "own" property, when it actuall

Also property taxes -- and in many cities condo / co-op fees. I find it odd to see people stretching themselves to the limit to "own" property, when it actually means they have even more "landlords" than before (the IRS, the bank, and often the condo association). I live in SF and renting is a great deal! (admittedly, as long as you are not looking right now :-/ ) I would consider buying something relatively big in a small town that you can really own, but I don't see the appeal of these tiny starter "homes" in big cities, with so many strings attached.