I completely agree that you don't have to own a home to build wealth. In fact, here are 15 reasons not to: https://themakingofamillionaire.com/15-sure-reasons-renting-benefits-you-over-buying-a-home-50500a45bbc8.

At the same time, buying a home does indeed have a bunch of important benefits (see e.g. https://themakingofamillionaire.com/your-house-asset-or-liability-its-astoundingly-clear-96eb30984b34).

My bottom line is that it shouldn't be either owning a home *or* financial assets, but both, assuming you're not in one of the 15 situations listed in the first article above.