<p>I understand that most folks think owning your own home is a great investment, but I have never been completely convinced. Certainly some folks see massive appreciation, especially in smaller homes, but it can be really hard to realize those gains unless you are willing to pack up and move to a slower growing region as you well know.</p>
<p>True it is hard to access the funds- and harder to pay for it, if you are already at the payment level you can best afford.</p>
<p>But I have "some" control over my other monthly costs- I can use less water- I don't have to have DSL or cable, I don't even * have* to have a cell!
But unless I am happy moving every time the rent goes up, I don't have a lot of control over what the landlord is going to charge.
Renters in our area, have been forced to move- because the building is going condo- or they have found that their rent is increasing 78% and higher?
Essentially</a> evicting them.
The owners can also decide that they want use of the building-and while they have to give you notice- moving can be a huge hassle- which is perhaps why we have stayed put for so long.</p>
<p>Im sure some landlords are great- we always had at least local owners, but nowdays some owners may not even live in the country, let alone the state and have managing firms who are only concerned with the black ink.</p>
<p><a href="and%20I%20agree%20with%20you%20about%20pensions-%20the%20benefits%20for%20government%20workers%20are%20very%20impressive%20but%20funding%20seems%20erratic">url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/olympia/archive.asp?postID=5487</a></p>