I think the example you give is what is trying to be relayed by the property bears and bulls on this site.
This high income earner can either:
1. Buy a house, pay $4000 a month off his mortgage and in 25-30 years (or less) have an asset towards his retirement
2. Rent, save the money we would have spent on interest and in 25 years have some money saved towards his retirement.
3. However I often hear of the high income earner (usually a miner), peeing his money up against a brick wall each week, buying immediately depreciating car and other expensive crap and then find in 25-30 years they have absolutely nothing.
There are pros and cons for renting/owner a home...
At least buying a house forces you to save... And makes it harder to waste your money.
