Real estate investor Grant Cardone argues that buying a primary residence is a poor investment because homeowners continue paying costs even after the mortgage disappears. Cardone said a home typically does not generate cash flow while the owner lives in it and still requires ongoing property taxes, insurance and maintenance. “Even when the loan is paid, you don’t own it,” Cardone said, pointing to recurring expenses that continue indefinitely. He argues that homeowners often become emotionally attached to the idea of ownership and overlook the financial structure of the arrangement. Cardone described homeowners as effectively being “a partner” with the state because property taxes remain due regardless of whether the mortgage has been paid off. His recommendation for the average household is straightforward: rent the home you live in rather than buying it. Cardone’s broader philosophy favors putting capital into income-producing real estate rather than tying money up in a primary residence that does not generate revenue. The argument focuses on opportunity cost and cash flow rather than whether homeowners legally own their properties. His view is that housing should be treated as an expense, while investment capital should be directed toward assets capable of producing income.