I agree, it's all about perspective. When I first learned of FIRE'ing...I too saw a lot of examples of peeps with their mortgages paid off, so an overall lower monthly cost on overhead for the monthly nugget they needed because they didn't have a mortgage or rent....but I'm a renter (former homeowner), so what do I need to do? I posted something about owning a home vs renting - of course the city and market takes a big factor into it, lots of calculators, etc. If you were to buy, is there a way to have it paid off by the time you're in your 50's or early 60's? Or fully save to pay cash at some point in time? Rent or a mortgage is a big monthly expense if you're on a 4% rule, if there is anything you can do to reduce that monthly expense by any amount once you FIRE, the more breathing room you'll have once living off 4%. There are ways other than actually buying a home - i.e. roommates, but hopefully mature, respectful ones....not something out of Animal House!