The upfront costs are high and are better invested in, for example, rental property, not a place to live yourself. In economics-talk the opportunity cost of buying a single family dwelling is far, far, far larger than we are lead to believe by our society.

Here’s a simple analogy: Imagine you’re a grain broker and you buy a load of grain to re-sell so you can take care of your family. However, instead of doing that you grind it into flour, make bread, and feed it to your kids. Mission accomplished, perhaps, but a very large false economy.

Or, as was laid down by our forefathers in The Ten Crack Commandments:

Number four, know you heard this before,
Never get high on your own supply.