I did it for years, I honestly preferred it.  Married now otherwise I probably still would.  Mattresses and kinda fiat 

 IMO owning your house isn't about its value or investment, its about security.  Especially true if you can own it outright or have a plan to do so in the short term.  

Securities are held by DTC, renters can be rugged anytime, but if you own the house and custody the deed... well that's about as secure as you can get.  Hold your keys, hold your deed.