1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

3. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

4. No Surprises. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.

5. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

6. Prices. Due to the current condition of our economy, prices on homes have hit rock bottom. You can find a good condition 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home for under $80,000 here in Georgia.

One way to stabilize the housing market and get the economy back on track is to find a way to stop home foreclosure and sell these homes that are currently on the market.