You don't actually want to buy a house

Most Americans still see buying a home as the ultimate financial goal, but Jerusalem Demsas thinks homeownership is overrated. Matt Yglesias, a proud homeowner, disagrees. They get into why the American Dream might be a bad financial deal, what's really driving people's demand for stability, and whether the Singapore model has something to teach us. Plus a peer review of a new paper using Swedish lottery data to ask what money actually does to marriages.(00:00) Homeownership is overrated(04:42) The "only path to wealth" myth(10:16) The home equity piggy bank(17:25) The illiquidity problem(22:21) Homeownership brain(27:30) What everyone actually wants: stability(32:57) Rent control is back(35:28) A Singapore-style savings idea(45:17) The YIMBY case for more homeowners(46:45) Peer review: Lottery winners and marriageSupport the Show: Get a full transcript, show notes, and an ad-free version: TheArgumentMag.com New episodes every Thursday—subscribe so you never miss a debate!Once a month, The Argument podcast does a book club episode. This month we are reading Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam. Read along if you are interested, and comment with any questions/ideas you'd like us to explore!The Argument is produced by Justin Zuckerman, fact-checked by Eli Richman, with music by Breakmaster Cylinder and art by Ben Tousley.