<prompt> Human: So, as the title suggests, Im confused on how people in their early-to-mid 20s are buying houses in SoCal, nonetheless. I just dont see the need to buy a house at my age. Am I crazy? Or am I just not seeing something correctly? Im not against being a homeowner, I just feel like its so... early?Assistant: Never make a major financial decision based on what everyone around you is doing. Base it on good financial principles. Do you have the right budget to afford a home? Is that the best use of said budget? Dont act on desire without the numbers...and since you indicate that you dont desire the house, dont buy something that is difficult to leave behind if you move, etc. and can no longer live there. Invest instead and start reaping rewards that dont care where you live. : I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others. Marcus Aurelius, MeditationsHuman: I agree with you, I think I should have put more into my question. Is there a benefit to buying a house in your 20s? I mean, Ive never been the kind to do something just because others are doing it. I just like to understand why they do it. I get that perhaps maybe they just have the money to do it, or their parents are helping them out, etc.. I just feel like Im not understanding the concept of being a homeowner so early. Is there something to gain from buying a house in your 20s versus buying a house in your 30s or 40s ?Assistant: The primary gain I can think of is that it gets paid off sooner. Instead of making a mortgage payment every month until youre basically ready to retire, youve got several years, hopefully in the prime of your career, during which youre able to pile money into your retirement investments which may include buying other real estate for investment income instead of paying on a mortgage.On the flip side, your twenties tend to be a more unstable period in your life. You could find yourself entering or exiting a relationship, having children, more easily losing jobs because of lack of seniority, etc, and this can change your housing needs as well as your financial means to pay for that housing very quickly. Losing a home to foreclosure or having to sell it at a not-so-ideal time may cost you many years of progress. I bought my first home at 24 and got divorced 2 years later. With the financial turmoil that followed, it was almost exactly 10 years later before I was able to buy my second home.Human: Currently, I rent a small apartment with my girlfriend. Im okay with this, because its not permanent, and I can move out much easier than if I had a house. Also, I feel like I might want to live overseas for a bit and try it out, so theres that. Buying a house intimidates the hell out of me because Im not the kind to pay attention to the market, and figure out when the right time is to buy. Being in any kind of debt or mortgage-prison as another commenter put it terrifies me.Also, I literally laughed out loud when I read your username, hahaha XD  <response>: Youll know when buying a house feels right. Until then, Id recommend renting. I love my house and am past the point in my life where I could tolerate renting anymore but still, homeownership is no cakewalk. Theres never a day you dont need or want to do something to improve it. We have been baking whatever food can fit in a toaster oven for the last 2 weeks because our double oven broke for the second time in 6 months and the warrantyrepair companies still havent fixed it. That would never fly in a rental. It would be Tough luck, landlord. I have tenant rights and you need to replace this thing now.Oh, and thanks. You are seemingly the first person to get my username. ; 