How do we love home ownership? Let us count the ways...

To rent or to buy: that is the question for many people. On one hand, renting offers quite a few advantages. For example, you don't have to commit to staying in one place for the long haul. Someone else handles maintenance and yard work. And of course, you don't have to pay homeowner's insurance or property taxes. Many have chosen to rent for these very reasons. But for others, the benefits of home ownership are much more attractive.

You must admit, there's something about having a home of your own that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And it makes you feel like a real adult. You get to call the shots, rather than having to bend to the requirements of a landlord. Want pets? You can have as many as you like (within practical reason, of course)! Want to paint your living room lime green? Go for it! It's your home, after all. There are also tax incentives, as well as long-term financial pluses to owning your own home. And if you're shopping around for your first house--a "starter home" perhaps--there may be other advantages you haven't even thought of.

For one thing, when you buy a house, you're putting down roots and becoming part of a neighborhood. Think about all the old movies you've seen that show neighbors stopping by to have coffee, people having block parties and kids gathering in a back yard to play. We may not be quite as connected these days, but many people do still have a sense of community with those who live nearest to them and often come to think of them as family. After all, who better to keep an eye on your house or check on your pets when you're out of town? And when you need a friend to talk to--in person, rather than online for a change--a neighbor is just a short walk away.

Another benefit of owning your own home is that you can change and adapt things as your needs evolve. You can add a bathroom, take out a wall to enlarge the family room, screen in your porch...the possibilities are nearly endless. Plus, you'll most likely have a yard--even if it's a small one--where you can plant a garden, put up a playhouse for your kids, install a swimming pool and so much more. The space is yours to do with as you want.

If you're weighing the decision of whether to rent or buy, these are just a few things to consider. Some people feel more comfortable renting, while others would never want to give up owning a home themselves. As the saying goes, "to each his own." But being a home owner is definitely worthwhile in more ways than many people realize. Coldwell Banker, SSK, is the number one real estate company in the Middle Georgia Region, and our trained, ethical, and professional sales associates would be happy to assist you on finding the perfect home. Alternatively, you can view our current rental properties in Macon, Warner Robins, and Milledgeville.