Owning property for personal or investment reasons are two completely different animals. Owning your own house, may not be a super investment, but it is your own, and once paid off gives you the flexibility to make changes as you wish, whatever they may be. There is something special about owning your own house, but a completely personal one. Owning property as an investment can be a good investment. Location, location, location. I have made a % killing from property in Grahamstown. I just wish I bought many more, but being a poor starter worker I couldn't afford it. Key things are, I bought at the right time and I didn't overpay and I have trustworthy tenants. Buying property as an investment certainly gives you access to cash that you might not have, which if you are savvy you can get someone else to pay off for you. Yes you might get a better return on the JSE, but there is nothing wrong with a bit of diversification. I am very happy with my property as an investment. The big negative for me is that with property, you are always going to pay something, whether annual rates and taxes or maintenance, and the income you might receive is income taxable.