I remember I was getting into a debate with a friend for rent X buy option, and when I told him besides all the taxes you are going to pay that is sometimes plus maintenance fees is equal to a rent, you actually never own your house the same way you own other things, he didn’t believe it first. Not to mention you are also restricted to “neighborhood laws” that even prevent you from changing your replica looking house into something unique or authentic, not even your lawn! Good thing in Europe and probably most of the world these nonsense laws aren’t there, and you still see good looking authentic houses too.