[bradlys]

This is basically it for me. I don't care about how much it costs as long as I can get it. It could worth $1, I'd be fine with that. Personally, I have no interest in the financial aspect of real estate.

I want a home that I can modify to my desires and use as I please. I want a woodshop at my home or to do some small machining in my garage - can easily do it if I own the home. As it stands, my landlord gets on my case about even the smallest of changes or for even using my god damn backyard patio. (He says my furniture ruins the "cutesy aesthetic" of the exterior; the oh so visible area that no one but us can see)

It's pretty annoying and home ownership doesn't remove all the burdens/restrictions but it is better than the overbearing landlords that seem overly abundant in the bay area.

[flashgordon]

Oh man tell me about it! That but about waking one morning and changing a wall as I see fit is important for me. I don't care if I had to pay only a dollar for the place (as long as it doesn't go down in value). A house is a convinience thing for me more than a status symbol based on worth.