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To buy or to rent? It’s one of the most enduring financial debates — and for good reason. For most people, buying a home is the biggest financial decision they’ll ever make.
While the choice is deeply personal and depends on individual circumstances, real estate mogul Grant Cardone says there’s no debate at all.
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“I’d rather pay $2,400 in rent than $2,400 in mortgage, because I can get out of that rent every 10 months — that mortgage is 30 years,” he said in an interview with YouTuber Kevin Cooney.
Cardone points out that renting offers more flexibility. Lease agreements are shorter and easier to break than the time-consuming process of buying and selling a home. But for him, the bigger difference is how many expenses you’ll have.
“If you live in your home and you pay the expenses of the home, that is not an investment. That is an expense by definition, and by the way, your home should not even go on your net worth statement,” he told Cooney.
Cardone elaborated that homeowners are on the hook for HOA fees, property taxes, ongoing maintenance — and what he called “out of control insurance.”
Those costs can add up quickly. According to a new study by Bankrate, the “hidden costs” of owning a typical single-family home in the U.S. amount to $21,400 in 2025 — covering everything from property taxes and insurance to maintenance, repairs and utilities. And that’s all on top of mortgage payments.
Cardone is willing to get a mortgage — as long as someone else pays it
To be clear, Cardone isn’t opposed to owning a property. After all, he’s a seasoned real estate investor who has built a fortune through property deals. But there’s a key distinction: He’s only willing to take on debt when it’s tied to an income-generating asset.
“I would rather pay 7% on a mortgage that a renter pays than 3% on my home that I pay,” he told Cooney.
That’s a bold statement. While many homeowners chase the lowest mortgage rate possible for their primary residence, Cardone believes they’re missing the point. From his perspective, it’s not about the rate — it’s about who’s covering the cost.
Still, it’s important to note that not every rental property will generate enough income to fully cover the mortgage — especially in today’s market. Whether or not the rent offsets your costs depends on several factors, including the property’s location, purchase price, interest rate and local rental demand. Plus, your insurance bill could be nearly 25% higher if you choose to rent out your property rather than live there, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Even if you own a rental property, you’re still on the hook for the usual homeowner expenses — and finding reliable tenants is no guarantee. In fact, being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns).
The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today.
Read more: How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement
Become a real estate mogul, starting with just $100
Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to access the real estate market.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.
With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.
With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.
Or, you may want to explore First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
To truly accelerate your net worth, consider getting expert guidance across all areas of your wealth. That’s where the trusted team of financial planners at Range can come in.
For high-earning professionals or households making over $300,000, Range offers a smart, streamlined way to manage your full financial life — especially your real estate investments.
Through a strategic partnership with Engineered Tax Services, Range members receive free cost segmentation analysis and discounted cost segmentation studies. Range advisors will then use the study as part of a member’s tax planning and strategy.
Cost segmentation shortens depreciation timelines — from the standard 27.5–39 years down to just 5–15 years—allowing you to claim significantly larger tax deductions sooner and keep more money in your pocket. Note that only investment properties qualify for segmentation studies.
Range also delivers proactive advice across your entire financial life — not just real estate or taxes.
From stock options and tax strategies to real estate and big-picture planning, Range integrates it all under one roof. With a transparent, flat annual fee — no hidden costs or percentage-of-assets surprises — you get AI-powered insights and comprehensive guidance designed to scale with your wealth.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.