Otherwise it would lead to a concentration of wealth among the few, and increase the gap between the rich and the poor. And are you asking why personal freedom is so important to people?
What kind of ridiculous argument is this?
But they have the least personal financial freedom, is my point.
The lack of freedom derives not from imaginary mobility constraints, but from the provision of shelter coming from a 3rd party landlord. Your roof is resting on the whims of a profit motive for someone who owes you nothing.
You can't see how that presents a fundamental lack of independence?
what whims? I have a lease for X months. Yes all bets are off after that. No one is acting on whims.
Homeowners are also at the whims of cost of labor to make essential repairs , cost of necessary appliances , property tax increases, employment opportunities near your home if you lose your job and whims of the banks that can foreclose your home.
Nothing in life is a guarantee . Owing mortgage payments to a bank vs renting isn't more freedom. Renters can become homeowners if they want and homeowners are forced to become renters ( remember 2009 ) . So i don't really understand what 'freedom' being a homeowner gives you. Your financial status give you freedom not your home ownership status.
When you rent, you just give the power of choice away and have misaligned incentives (when you own, you give more of a shit than when you are merely extracting profit)
Things like internal plumbing, internal wiring, air conditioning and appliances.