So one might consider "the original intent" of your home as an investment to be something other than throwing your money at rent. If I put $2000 towards rent in

So one might consider "the original intent" of your home as an investment to be something other than throwing your money at rent. If I put $2000 towards rent in a month, I have a place to live that month. If I instead put $2000 towards a mortgage, I have some of that money in equity (and a place to live for a month). It "builds wealth" in that some of my monthly spend is resulting in value for me beyond the place to live for those 30 or so days. I think if people are generically looking to treat their home like any other financial instrument, they're courting danger.