I like your comparison. The one thing I am missing is the goal that should be associated with everything we do.

I developed the Ideal Wealth Grower system to help people who have the goal to live a life with economic, or if possible financial independence. That can be reached with passive income.

I have often said that it is better to rent in certain locations due to the market forces. At the same time, IWG members learn how to invest in high performing locations, currently mainly in the Midwest.

I would add a scenario where someone invests 5% or even 20% into a passive income-generating real estate. After 30 years the assets will be paid off, will have increased in value as you describe, and will have provided passive income to the owner/investor all these years.

As rent increases for your tenants each year in your assets, your passive income increases alongside and you might get to a point where your own rent in the house you occupy is paid by the passive income from your investment properties.