I actually prefer to rent. Of course, there is nothing like owning your own home and painting your rooms whatever color you like, I feel more comfortable financially letting the landlord sweat the big stuff. And to those who are landlords - thank you. It isn’t easy, I know.
Honestly, I don’t see how you make money on landlording.
I am a happy renter too. I managed to find a nice place in a great neighborhood with an excellent landlord. For the amount of I pay, I couldn’t get an equitable home where most repairs and broken appliances are fixed/replaced within 48 hours at the price of a phone call.
...or putting up various dishes and other antennas (if you're not just as badly hemmed in by those wascally westwictive covenants).
That's my dilemma as an apartment dweller for the past few years. Even if I were renting a house from an individual owner, I would have a chance at doing some of this stuff. But dealing with a giant apartment management company, not so much.