Returns for market investments need to be higher than safer assets due in part to their higher volatility and risk. The US Department of Labor says workers are with their current employer for a median of 4. Not every financial decision has to be based on what is best financially. This means that a home is not significantly safer than most investment portfolios, and it provides a substantially lower investment return. I would change that to say rental property ownership is an excellent path to build wealth. I love learning everything I can about personal finance and real estate.