Quality of life - a home provides stability and security for you and your loved ones.
Pride of home ownership - it's your personal haven and you're your own landlord.
Historically low interest rates - around 5.5 percent in the U.S.
Tax Credit - U.S. government provides a special $8,000 incentive for qualifying first-time buyers.
Appreciation potential - your home investment can grow in value.
Equity buildup and debt pay down - homeowners enjoy an average net worth of approximately $184,000 vs. $4,000 for renters.
Leverage - where else can you buy an investment of this magnitude with 5-10 percent down?
Tax deduction advantages - property tax and mortgage interest write-offs.
Tax exemption - up to $500,000 per couple or $250,000 per person on sale of a primary residence in the United States.
The real cost of renting - at $800 per month, with the average 6 percent rental increase per year, you will pay $126,536 over a 10-year period but have zero ownership of the property.