| In this shaky housing market, many people are opting | | | | least. Over time, a home is almost guaranteed to be |
| to rent the homes they live in instead of buying | | | | a great investment. |
| them while they wait to see how the market goes. | | | | Taxes - Did you know that the cost of your |
| It's certainly a good idea to stay cautious about such | | | | mortgage loan interest is deductible on your income |
| things. After all, buying a home will be one of the | | | | taxes? You can also deduct your real estate taxes. |
| most important financial decisions you will ever make | | | | And if you buy a home soon, you might be eligible |
| in your life. When it finally does come time to decide | | | | for the new $8,500 tax credit. That's not just a |
| whether to continue to rent or buy, it's good the | | | | deduction but an actual tax credit! This can add up to |
| know what the advantages are of owning your own | | | | big savings for you. |
| home. | | | | Independence - The satisfaction from owning your |
| Investment - Keep this in mind: when you are renting, | | | | own home is immeasurable. Not only do you get |
| it's your landlord that receives every financial benefit | | | | financial independence - no longer at the whim of a |
| from your home. If something is improved or fixed, | | | | landlord and ever-increasing rental payments - but |
| your landlord benefits. Every rent check you pay, | | | | you also have the personal freedom to make your |
| your landlord benefits. All of the equity that gets built | | | | home exactly what you want it to be. |
| up, your landlord benefits. When you own your own | | | | Though there are many advantages to being a home |
| home, every improvement that you make on it and | | | | owner, the most important thing is that you feel at |
| any money that you put into it benefits you through | | | | home where you're living. A rental property can be a |
| increased value and equity. Keep in mind, however, | | | | great home just as much as if you owned it. As long |
| that homes are very risky as short-term investments | | | | as you feel comfortable and secure in where you live |
| right now. A lot of people learned this painfully over | | | | then you must be doing something right. But if you're |
| the last few years. A house should be a long-term | | | | ready for a change, make sure that you know |
| investment. It's a good idea not to buy a home | | | | where to look and who to ask to get the best |
| unless you plan to live in it for five or six years, at | | | | information available. |