I am so lucky to have been given the knowledge of the importance of owning real estate! It is something that no landlord, adjacent tenant, etc can take away from you! Recently I was able to build my own home and I am beyond happy with my decision to do this. I was also able to put down 20% on my home making my monthly payments extremely low as well as avoiding M.I. This was the best decision EVER for me due to the fact that I had the money to do so. The other day I was chatting with a friend that want to mimic my actions; unfortunately for her to save up enough while renting it will be pointless. The money she will be out during the next two years of renting will not pay-off the outcome of putting more money down.