Right now, I rent well below what I can afford rent-wise. I have some solid down-payment money saved already and w/ a VA loan (I'm a vet), I can escape points, mortgage insurance and some of the other b.s.. But, and this is a big but, taxes and the cost of property would make the mortgage payments unaffordable.
With maintenance, taxes, and mortgage interest, I've never thought that home-ownership is this great economic panacea (though I may be wrong) and that in some instances, it may be wiser to rent and invest my savings than to sink all of my assets in a home.
Home ownership beyond basics is lifestyle