I tried bringing up the fact that prices and things simply cannot always go up in value... and got treated like I was insane. At the same time, I generally thought it was crazy that some people bought homes for investment purposes. While you might gain some things, you lose out on things like being able to get the landlord to fix the leaky roof and flexibility in moving if the local housing market turns sour. All in all, it seems one comes out nearly even in the best of times.<p>Now, alternative reasons for buying or building a house, however, is understandable so long as one can afford the payments. The want for privacy or doing what one will is a bonus. Those I've known that bought a cheap house and got it paid off in a short time wound up the best - even if their house lost value, it wasn't so important during selling time (if they even move). No house payments makes life easier.