[Mr. Jeeves]

“And the business professional says, ‘I don't want to waste money on rent, I want to own my own home.

"I don't want to waste money on rent. I want to waste money on mortgage interest and property taxes, instead."

Maybe we could just have a Landlords vs. Mortgage Brokers Monster Truck Rally and settle this question once and for all. ;)

[grellis]

Renters DO pay property taxes, whether they realize it or not. I used to rent out our second story. When our prop taxes went up, so did rent. No landlord would set a rental price without considering prop taxes into the equation.

Well, maybe some landlords. The not so smart ones.

And mortgage interest? Nice big tax deduction every April.

[SedVictaCatoni]

Maybe we could just have a Landlords vs. Mortgage Brokers Monster Truck Rally and settle this question once and for all. ;)

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Featuring a special appearance by Foreclosurusaurus, the Credit-Eating Robot!

[RockinRight]

Well...with a mortgage you are at least building SOME equity...with rent-none.

I am a single man-and homeownership will (haven't bought yet) have the following benefits:

If I hate the bathroom, I can remodel it and it's my damn house so I can do as I please

I can plant or cut down a tree

I can remodel at my own whim

I can do whatever I want in the garage

I can plant a garden, or plant grass over the garden

I can have a dog, or a cat, or 10 of each if I choose

I am free to paint a mural of Ronald Reagan in the family room (not that I am talented enough to do so)



Of course, own or rent, once I get married, I can't do any of those things...

Also, if I marry my current GF, she owns a house already and has mandated that she's NOT selling...