Strategic Defaulting on Mortgage.

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However, and this is why this is a hot button issue for me, is that, in America, as an American, the home is sacred.

That is one reason why it should not be considered an investment. Investments should have no emotional attachment. People delude themselves into spending more than they have because "its an investment".

Also here are some actual numbers for you, no property tax or upkeep money so that there is extra.

$200,000 loan 5% interest, in 10 years you have paid $91k in interest and you still owe $163k on the house, so lets say the house is worth $300k, most people would say they made $100k profit

You sell for $300k, take 6% off the top for the realtor fees that leaves $295k
subtract the $91k that you paid in interest you have $204k, subtract the $163k you still owe on the house you have $41k, which is not bad at all but that assumes that your home went up in value by 50% in 10 years. Now lets throw in property tax, lets say its $2500 a year, that takes another $25k off your pofit and that leaves you with $16k, and I bet you have spent more than $16k on your house in 10 years, I know I sure have.

Oh but wait then there are closing costs, title transfer fees etc etc and sir this is why I say a home is a terrible monetary investment. A home is however a great investment as a place to live.