Not so much an obsession as prudent economics surely?
If you are paying 500 in rent today, chances are you'll be paying 600 in 10 years, 700 in 20, and so on. With a mortgage, that 500 (or even 600) stays at that level for, typically, 25 years, then ceases altogether. For me, that's part of my retirement planning - no longer needing to pay a mortgage.

Even if the house were eventually reclaimed on your death, I'd still think it a decent investment just for those final few years of rent/mortgage freedom and more disposable cash!

Speaking as someone who got their first mortgage 28 years ago, and with now only 7 years to go, if I could speak to my 21 year old self, I'd be inclined to say "well played, son (oh, and don't get involved with that German bird, it will all end in tears and poverty)"

I think that, irrespective of political swing, is a pretty unacceptable situation. I know people who are paying 60-70% of the wages to live in Whitley, which is basically our Bermondsey, but with a ever present smell of sewage.

I wouldn't object to paying 75% of my wages to live somewhere very nice, but to have to pay that to live somewhere where they'd house you on benefits for free seems to decentivise working in the first place.