[kudu]

I don't understand where the 1.6 million came from. If you're talking about interest on the loan, the premise was that the rent covers the mortgage payment (interest and capital) plus maintenance plus returns some net cash. In that case, when the net cash has returned enough to cover the downpayment, you'd be richer by the entire value of the house even without appreciation.

[s1artibartfast]

You are correct. Renters cover the mortgage and you are neutral at 35 years. Not in bebt

[kudu]

So, for your 200k downpayment, you now have 200k * 1.047^35 = 1MM as the total house value that you own even without house appreciation, so almost a 5% rate of return.