There are varying factors when calculating a possible future profit from a house vs renting. If a house is new (or fairly new), maintenance costs are low. Most costs involve personal touches which could also be done in a rental. I calculated costs in a 2 bedroom condo (which we owned) bought in 2002 @ $190,000. With $40,000, that left a $150,000 mortgage @872/mo. (average rate 5%) plus condo fees $380 & property tax $180. Total $1432. Rentals averaged $1400. Condo fees & property tax went up proportionate to the rent. The condo sold 15 years later for $480,000. Renter gets $32,000 (4% compound int. on $40,000)
Conclusion: when comparing similar properties, own vs rent, ownership is a clear winner ($480,000 - ($82,500, 24,000 RE fee, 40,000 deposit) = 333,500 profit vs $32,000
We don't know what the future holds but we do know history usually repeats itself