Assuming no cash back at closing, and after transaction costs, interest, tax etc are factored in to calculate total ownership costs, I wonder how they would have faired against someone renting a similar house for 2.5k who invested the 1.5k (they saved by not buying) over the same 4 year period. I would estimate that this home buyer would have been up at least $2.5k a month over that period against the renter.