Reader: Buying a House in Denver Isn't as Good an Investment as You Think

The issue of current housing costs in the Denver area remains a hot one — and so, too, is the debate about renting versus buying. We recently posted about a RealtyTrac survey showing that renting a three-bedroom property was more affordable than paying the mortgage on one in three of...

By Michael Roberts

July 20, 2015

Audio By Carbonatix

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The issue of current housing costs in the Denver area remains a hot one — and so, too, is the debate about renting versus buying.

We recently posted about a RealtyTrac survey showing that renting a three-bedroom property was more affordable than paying the mortgage on one in three of five metro-Denver counties.

Plenty of readers felt this finding was hooey. But one questioned the common wisdom that buying a house is a great investment.

Here's what he had to say.

David Thead writes:

Your primary residence isn't considered an investment for tax, accounting, or financial purposes. It doesn't count towards your net worth as an investor either. It's also a bad one....

If you invested the money you saved every year from not overpaying for a home, and invested it index based funds then your money would appreciate much faster than it would in a home.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts. For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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