I ponder a question?

[special ED]

is it better to rent your home or own it ? with resent price increases to home prices and property taxes ,by the time you add all of the interest from the bank ,repairs you have made in the place time you have spent mowing grass ,painting ,all that stuff ,once you have figured all that in  a what between a 15 and 30 year mortgage ,do you really come out ahead ,to me I dont think so .it seems owning land is the way to go ,let someone else have the headache of repairs and cost over that time span whats your opinion?

[al brodeur]

That question, has so many variables as for each persons circumstances does not have a simple yes or no unless they are all known IE how long you plan to stay,seeking a job,distance to work,family,too close or too far away?
but one thing always comes out after say ten yrs with renting all you have are cancelled checks and by buying at least some equity should have built up (normally)
One other thing, people do not become landlords for the fun of it.

[Mike Raburn]

I "think"...it hurts...that paying the mortgage on your own dwelling and land is better than renting.

Again, I  "think".......

You take more pride in your exterior and interior.

It is yours AND the banks..... Not yours, the landlords AND the banks......

[cedarman]

Difference between a landlord and a bank:  you don't have to get your banks permission to paint your walls, plant a tree, change the lawn space/landscaping, till a garden, etc.    Now, the PC, DRB, and Town Board might be different story.

I rented for 6 yrs (at one place) before buying a house.  It was a bit cheaper on a monthly basis, and I had a LOT more time to do recreational activities since I didn't have to maintain anything (other than normal cleanliness).

But as a owner, I have a couple more tax write offs, I'm MUCH more inclined to vote in local elections and care what's going on (since it will have a more direct impact on my monthly living cost), and I can set up my hammock and enjoy my yard the way I want it.  I also study and defend property rights more (or as much as a person can these days since we are ALL just RENTING from the gov't).

[Mike Raburn]

I just saw your "rant" Cedar...

Well put!
I agree 100%