There comes a time in every renters life when they ask themselves if it's worth it. Deciding whether it's time to make the jump from renting to owning can be difficult. Renters experience a "strings free" life where they aren't responsible for maintenance, taxes, or interest on their home or apartment. While the lack of responsibly is tempting, the benefits are short lived. Renting leaves you with nothing to show but cashed checks for past rent payments. If you've been renting for years and think it's time to buy, you're probably right. Many consider buying a home a huge improvement and here's why:

• It's an Investment - Each payment you make on your house, especially if you pay a little bit over each month, increases you're investment. Basically, as time goes on and you make more payments you increase the level of ownership. In the very beginning you may own 10 or 20% of your home, however, ten or fifteen years down the road and you have a solid investment worth a decent amount of money. It's also important to understand that your home will increase in value especially if you keep up on maintenance and make improvements.
  
• You Actually Own It - In many cases, first time home owners have a mortgage rate that is equal or at least close to what they paid in rent. Fortunately, those who buy a house and pay a mortgage are working towards a financial investment while those who pay rent are dumping money into the investment of their landlord. In short, a mortgage will stop one day and you will own a home while rent paid is money you will never see again.
  
• Tax Deductions - Becoming a homeowner comes with several perks one of which is the ability to add deductions when it comes tax time. In some cases, interest accrued from mortgage payments as well as property taxes can be deducted from your taxes. For those of you that use your purchase to make a profit, which is the case when you buy a home and rent it out, you will be able to deduct things like maintenance costs.
  
• The Ability to Customize - Renting leaves little freedom for personal changes in the apartment. If you hate that aqua blue carpet in the living room you have two options. Expensive area rugs to hide as much as possible or simply closing your eyes. The same is generally true for the paint on the walls, the set up of the kitchen, and the landscaping outside. On the other hand, homeowners can see their new abode as a blank canvas filled with possibility.
  
• The Ability Buy Bigger and Better - Fist time homeowners seldom stay in the same house the rest of their lives. Events like marriage, children, and career changes can all make it necessary for you to move into a different house. Buy owning a house you can use your investment to buy up when needed. Be it the need for more space, a better neighborhood, accommodate a new job, or just to fulfill your housing dreams, owning a home gives you the money or at least the equity to do so.