My house in Seattle has been appreciating by about $100k/year over the past five years. In other words, I'm making $100k/year on a $50k investment. You wont find returns like that in a 401k. And my interest payments are less than rent would be. Last but not least, home appreciation is TAX FREE up to half a million bucks.
By all means, max out the $20k or so you are allowed to put into a 401k, but don't fool yourself into thinking it will outperform what is essentially a government-subsidized leveraged investment. You have to have exceptionally bad timing or move very frequently to lose in real estate.
By all means, max out the $20k or so you are allowed to put into a 401k, but don't fool yourself into thinking it will outperform what is essentially a government-subsidized leveraged investment. You have to have exceptionally bad timing or move very frequently to lose in real estate.