re: Home ownership losing importance as "American Dream"

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Had she invested the money into an IRA (and other accounts) that she saved by not having to remodel, pay closing costs and realtor fees, and make repairs around the house she would have been fine too. If I had to guess it wasn't a lack of homeownership that was her downfall.

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That's not even going to come close to the equity you'll build up in your home over time.

Like I said, I'd be paying more in rent when you consider the tax savings. And, when you consider the tax savings, it's not just your home interest -- being able to itemize allows you to deduct so much other sh!t. You have to add that to your tax savings as well.

I'm coming up on 6 years of ownership. My house was about 5 years old when I bought it, so it was relatively new. So far, I have had to spend $5K on a new A/C - which the company financed at 0% for 3 years. I'll probably have to replace my roof in the next 5-10 years. But, so far (knock on wood), that's all I've paid. I do plan on getting granite and stainless steel appliances in my kitchen soon (in the next year after I pay off the A/C), but, again, I've already got over $100K in equity.