Rent don't own...

When I bought my first house, I recall thinking how excited I was to own my first house after working a "real" job (read: not a job that I, as a 20-something, would be the oldest employee at) for 3 years.  I layed on the cheap, starter carpet and did "snow angels".  It was a great feeling. 

Now, a second home, housing and bank crisis later I'm not so excited about home ownership.  It's great to pour all of your hard-earned money into a lawn that won't grow, or spend a third of your paycheck on a mortgage that is like gold if you're one of the few people to still be above water.  The single worst thing that I can say about home ownership is that if you ever have an opportunity to move to another area and improve your life or finances, it becomes that much more difficult.  You can't sell your house, unless of course you're prepared to lose money on it.  Even if you are able to find a buyer, it will take so long that you might die of old age waiting for it to come to fruition.  There are so many homes for sale that your house really needs to stand out in order to attract a buyer, much less one that won't low ball you.

In this day and age, I'm in direct support of renting.  Renting means that when the furnace dies, it's not your problem.  When the siding blows off the house in a windstorm, it's not your problem.  When you get a better job offer and have to move, it's not a big deal.  At worst, you're going to pay a lease break penalty and you're off.  Plus, there are no real estate taxes or home owner's association fees to worry about.  Concerned with the tax break at the end of the year.  Please!  I used to think that, then realized all of the fees and taxes that I was paying that more than offset any benefit I received when filing my taxes. 

Now there are drawbacks to renting.  If you're in a complex, then you're going to have your transient types that are in and out more frequently than your trips to the bathroom.  You'll have your pot smokers, reckless drivers, wafer thin walls, and the guy walking through your parking lot with a "Wife Beater", flip flops, and boxer shorts talking on a cell phone.  This occurs so often you wonder when he finds the time to recharge, or shower for that matter. 

You'll also get the benefit of several amenities, such as a fitness room or swimming pool that most homeowners would have to pay extra for.  The best amenity is that if you're not happy with your rental, you're a few short months away from having the opportunity to relocate.

While there are benefits and drawbacks to each, I think that renting makes life much easier!