hat makes a house a home? For many people, the two are the same thing. But for others, a house is only a home when they own it.

Setting down roots
One of the greatest joys of ownership for many people is setting down roots. When you buy a house, you have your own land, your own house and a sense of becoming part of a community; meeting and sharing with your neighbors, getting involved in local issues, maybe even running for city council.

This lifestyle can be very attractive, especially if you have children who will enjoy the stability a home can provide.

Repair responsibility
So, now you're a home owner. Guess who gets to fix the hot water heater when it breaks in the middle of the night? Guess who gets sued if someone trips and falls in your driveway? And who is the lucky person who gets to pay for the new roof? (Don't you suddenly miss your landlord?)