Your House - Investment or Doodad?

[Timothy W.]

I'm curious to see folk's philosophy on this. I consider my personal residence to be a doodad I live in. Yes, I bought it at about 20-30% fmv but regardless, it is a piece of real estate that garners no cashflow for me, thus no return, which is why I have always lived in my least performing asset while renting out the rest.... Then again, I have that freedom as an "unattached" guy and that ain't changing any time soon.

So, I'll put it to you. Your house. Investment or Doodad and why? What's your reasoning behind it? Any data to support your view?

[Richard Warren]

Depends where you are in life. In my case, I bought the house I wanted. I didn’t buy it with investment in mind. As an investment property I wouldn’t even consider it. This is where I live, in the area I want to live in and with the amenities I wanted. It has appreciated significantly, even with the downturn, but that has nothing to do with why I bought it. It’s like buying a Mercedes when a Chevy will get you where you want to go as well.

:cool: