Buying a home is probably the biggest investment most of us will make in our lives — so don’t feel alone if you and your family agonize long and hard over this decision.

There are tremendous financial advantages to homeownership, especially when you compare it to renting. And that doesn’t even take into consideration the pride, enjoyment and improved quality of life that comes from owning your own home.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are deciding whether or not to buy a home. We hope this makes your decision a little easier.

	Mortgage interest is tax deductible. Rent is not.
	Mortgage payments create equity for your future. Rent payments are gone forever.
	You can borrow on your home equity for future expenses. Rent payments are your future expenses.
	You can control the amount of your mortgage payments. Your rent payments are out of your control.
	Owning your own single family home means you can watch your children play in your own yard. Renting means your children are playing somewhere else.
	You can decorate the interior of your own home however you want. No need to ask permission from the landlord to hang that special painting.
	Single family homeowners can discover your green thumb in your garden. It’s much more satisfying than that cactus in the window.