[sharkweek]

As someone who just bought a home -- I can also assure others in this thread, there is a lot of emotional value in owning your own place (reality check -- yes I know the bank owns it for a while) -- but for me and my wife, the value comes from being able to do whatever we want with the house.

Expand the basement? Sure! Get a bunch of dogs? Why not! Commit to getting to know the neighbors? Sounds great. All while not having to worry about a landlord doing whatever they want at the end of a lease.

It's a very rewarding thing. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not, much in the same way having kids or getting married isn't for everyone either. But for me, there is a lot of value in the actual ownership.

[enraged_camel]

>>Expand the basement? Sure! Get a bunch of dogs? Why not! Commit to getting to know the neighbors? Sounds great. All while not having to worry about a landlord doing whatever they want at the end of a lease.

It's funny that two out of the three things you said are additional expenses that the house enables.

Of course, we aren't disputing the emotional value of owning a home. We're just saying that it's a poor financial decision most of the time.

[BoyWizard]

>>It's funny that two out of the three things you said are additional expenses that the house enables.

Those same two things may also be valuable to the owner, regardless of expense. Expand my basement so I have room to continue working on the hobby I love? Sounds good.

[aidenn0]

You obviously don't live where I do; nearly all changes to the house require a permit which takes 6-12 months to get and is quite expensive, and for anything that changes the # square feet (like expanding the basement) will be denied.