I love your column Rob, but there are problems with this article.  The examples used, whether shopping at Ikea or fixing up the baby's room apply to rentals as well.  The only way it's any different is if by buying, you're acquiring more space, which may often be the case but isn't necessarily.  Of course a roof has to be replaced, but in markets other than TO and Vancouver, a purchaser usually considers this in the offer they make on the home.  
None of this changes the fact that a new purchaser in the market these days should not look to a purchased property to finance their retirement but we should stick to the costs that are unique to buying rather than renting.