[mljoe]

Want to also add something about the tax situation with renting vs buying as a business. If a company is focused on owning and profiting from real estate, they can become a "Real Estate Investment Trust" (REIT), which get special tax treatment.

[mjcl]

Focused has to mean really focused ... REITs need to make 75% of their income from rents and 95% of their income from rents, dividends and gains from securities sales. Income from other sources is referred to as 'bad income' and is carefully watched.