Better buy to rent and then rent what you need as it gives you more return and more flexibility. Unless of course there is no market (which is probably what you are talking about).
Hmm it can be true ou false. Depend where you are living, where you invest, what is the yield, taxes on it etc etc..
I can see it 'yes' for reasons :
1) You are citizen or resident in a country where you are / were able to make a really cheap fixed loan (example in France or some other western european countries, where until covid, you were able to get real estate mortgage for 20years at 1-1.5%). You make leverage, almost free money ok.
2) You invested early in very cheap market (as I know / experienced : Budapest 10years ago, Bali, Tulum... Dubai?!). No mortgage but you were/are able to have very high yield, who can justify you put your own money.
3) You invest just for diversification in an ultra premium area, as 'safe haven" (some specific streets in Paris, or NYC, or London for example etc..). Yield is fucking ridiculous, but its not the point in that case.
Without (cheap) mortgage to leverage, or high yield without mortgage or not doing it in a specific area as safe haven (ok you can still add one or two just for your personnal pleasure, but then i wouldnt count it as investment. Same for most of cars / supercars), I would also avoid to put more money into.