maybe everyone just rents. It would be the path of least resistance and you can make some arguments about the benefits of dynamism
The obvious benefit is low-start-up capital—all you need is a security deposit (bond). And the dynamism you mentioned is also pretty relevant. I was going to say more, but on second thoughts, I’d just ask: why don’t you find those reasons alone compelling?
Alternately, maybe one person owns the house, and everyone else pays rent to them
The thing is, owning a house is a financial commitment and a timesink. You have to manage all the repairs and such yourself. You have to keep paying the mortgage, and you can’t just end the lease. You have to sell the house, and that will typically cost you a low five-figure sum, depending on the location.
I know one property investor who got started by buying large houses, starting a group house at the house, and then repeating this process several times. Each group house had a fairly distinct vibe to it (none were rationalist themed). There was a lot of hassle in terms of getting involved in various personal disputes between residents but it worked out well for that investor in the long term.
I don’t super recommend this as a way to invest in property, unless you BOTH (a) want to start a group house AND (b) have a group of specific individual residents in mind, or at least a target market with plenty of people who’d want to join your house in your particular location. For a “rationalist” themed house, you’d probably want to get started once you have specific people interested in moving in, unless you’re in a large enough city that you can be confident of just finding rationalists when you advertise. If you want to try, but are open to relaxing your “rationalist” theme, it is probably a good long-term investment in most places.
The obvious benefit is low-start-up capital—all you need is a security deposit (bond). And the dynamism you mentioned is also pretty relevant. I was going to say more, but on second thoughts, I’d just ask: why don’t you find those reasons alone compelling?
The thing is, owning a house is a financial commitment and a timesink. You have to manage all the repairs and such yourself. You have to keep paying the mortgage, and you can’t just end the lease. You have to sell the house, and that will typically cost you a low five-figure sum, depending on the location.
I know one property investor who got started by buying large houses, starting a group house at the house, and then repeating this process several times. Each group house had a fairly distinct vibe to it (none were rationalist themed). There was a lot of hassle in terms of getting involved in various personal disputes between residents but it worked out well for that investor in the long term.
I don’t super recommend this as a way to invest in property, unless you BOTH (a) want to start a group house AND (b) have a group of specific individual residents in mind, or at least a target market with plenty of people who’d want to join your house in your particular location. For a “rationalist” themed house, you’d probably want to get started once you have specific people interested in moving in, unless you’re in a large enough city that you can be confident of just finding rationalists when you advertise. If you want to try, but are open to relaxing your “rationalist” theme, it is probably a good long-term investment in most places.