Press play above, then read the full written lesson in the next item.

Goes to interest, month one$1,633
Actually pays down your loan$230

On a $280,000 mortgage at 7%, the payment is $1,863. In month one, 88% of it is rent paid to the bank.

You borrow$280,000After 20% down
You repay$670,000Over 30 years
Interest alone$390,000More than the loan itself
Property tax$105,000$3,500/yr over 30 years
Insurance$1,500–3,000Per year
Maintenance$3,500–7,000Per year, 1–2% of value
Builds equityNone of itThis is the price of ownership
NeverProperty taxes do not stop when the mortgage is paid off. A home owned free and clear still costs thousands a year to keep.
Reilly — home equity after 30 years$849,000
Astrid — investment portfolio$1,680,000

Reilly paid $1,008,000 in total housing costs. Astrid paid $648,000 in rent and invested the difference. Her position is roughly double, and liquid.

Reilly paid out$1,008,000Mortgage, tax, insurance, upkeep
Astrid paid out$648,000Rent over 30 years
Reilly ends with$849,000Illiquid, in one asset
Astrid ends with$1,680,000Liquid, diversified