I assumed when I bought our house I was flushing our down payment down the toilet. My only wish was the house stand for a year before a massive earthquake so we could at least get one goddamn year in it. I got my wish! A true real estate success story.
I do sometimes fantasize about someday getting our money out maybe a little more but I doubt it will happen, even just on paper. Ever. Not until I am dead and mouldrin’ in my grave.