[kd5bjo]

Well, it should be noted that appreciation only matters in this equation in the case of a sale. The idea of moving in order to liquidate assets isn’t something palatable to me, so I treated my home purchase like any other product: I bought the cheapest one that meets my requirements.

As long as the numbers work out, though, It does seem entirely reasonable to take a loan to buy a house with the intent of renting it out for income. If the rent you receive can cover the maintenance and loan interest, you can sell it on again any time you need your capital back and bank the appreciation (or lose the depreciation, prices move both ways).