Repeat after me: it's okay to rent. Equity is not everything.

The downvotes are really depressing. My point is that we've been conditioned in America to focus solely on homeownership. The banks, title companies, realtors, and home contractors tout it as the American dream. No matter the personal cost--the down payment, the interest, the insurance, the maintenance--and no matter what negative externalities--sprawl, inefficient heating and cooling, increased infrastructure, car pollution, divorce and obesity from commuting--you must buy a house.

I get it. If your overriding concern in life is to maximize investment, then by all means pour your cash into a house.