Another point most people don't consider is the fact that a mortgage is essentially a very heavily leveraged (often 10x+) investment in real estate. Example: C

Another point most people don't consider is the fact that a mortgage is essentially a very heavily leveraged (often 10x+) investment in real estate. Example: Consider a $500k mortgage with a $50k down payment (10x leverage). A 5% drop in value on the $500k home means you've lost 50% of your principle investment (-$25k), and vice versa with gains. Most investors have rather modest risk profiles and would never consider a 10x leveraged investment of any other type, but for some reason they give no second thoughts to putting down money for a 10x leveraged mortgage. I personally would rather pay the fixed monthly expense of a rent rather than exposing myself to the risks of a 10x leveraged investment.