Single Family Home As Liability

Was looking around at my house this morning and considering all the deferred maintenance.
Looks like I could spend a bundle getting this place in shape.
Home maintenance is rather expensive.
Remodeling
roofing
painting
plumbing
and then there are other expenses

property taxes
insurance
interest on the mortgage


it all adds up to a really large expense
but in the old days people felt good because the price was always going up so when they sold they had a big profit

hasn't been like that for a few years
will it be again?
nobody knows! but in our democracy inflation is pretty much a sure thing

and there is risk
something can happen to your house that is not insured!
a big flood or earthquake or something unexpected
termites
crazy neighbors
airport expansion
light rail at your doorstep

so there are risks and expenses and what you get is a place to live and a neighborhood to live in

but no guarantee of a profit
as we see lately
many have big losses

so the wise move is to go ahead and buy the house if you can afford it
but don't buy too much of a house
because the more house you buy the more you can win
but the more house you buy the more you can lose

and one more thing happens when you buy a house
a lot of money goes to brokers and bankers and tax collectors etc.
and you lose mobility
the transaction costs probably come to almost 10% of the price of the house

if you are renting a house
it is a lot easier to move
then you are not stuck in one place
you can move around and be more free