any tax year, up to $10,000 ($5,000 for marrieds filing separately). This limit does not apply if those taxes are paid or accrued in carrying on a trade or business, or in an activity engaged in for the production of income. In other words, if you are just living in your home, you can only claim up to $10,000 in tax deductions on your property, but if you are earning income directly from your home in some way, the limit might be waived. Current mortgage rates are relatively moderate. Interest rates vary through the years. In the last few years, interest rates dipped quite low, and for a little while it was less expensive to obtain a mortgage. While these costs have increased, good rates are available to borrowers who are ready to become homeowners. Ownership rights and creative freedom. Your decorating and home-improvement choices are just that — yours, provided they don’t break building codes or violate homeowners’ association rules. You can paint walls any which way, add fixtures, update or finish your basement, or build a patio or deck. Changing your environment to suit whims is a freeing aspect of homeownership. A sense of belonging to the community. Homeowners tend to stay in homes for longer than renters and are more likely to grow roots. They might join a neighborhood association, volunteer at a nearby community center, join a school group, or align with a business improvement district. Renters might not do any of those things, particularly if they know their lease is up in a year and they might move. There’s an intangible pleasant feeling attached to owning your own house — a sense of freedom and independence. The home you live in belongs to you, and you can do what you want with it. You aren’t daunted about increases in rent or losing the lease. You’re free to make improvements and changes. Also, owning your home gives your children the guarantee of attending the schools in the area on a more 21
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