What I realized when I bought a house was for an owner occupier buying a house is the only way to 'invest' the money you'd otherwise spend on rent. You'd never make such a low return illiquid investment otherwise.

The point of buying a primary house is to be able to do what you want with it. And to know you can live there as long as you want.

Economics dictates how valuable those things are and what premium they have over renting.