Homeownership will always be a good investment.

Even if you are on the fence for now, that's OK. There will be plenty of opportunities to buy a home when you're ready. Homeownership is a vital engine in the American economy - and in our culture. It creates strong communities and builds wealth for families who buy homes. Homeownership won't go out of style.

Nine out of 10 consumers consider home ownership to be a sound financial decision. More than 80% of all Americans over the age of 55 own a home, and more than 73% of all Ohioans have made this same responsible choice.

Purchasing a home is a great way to invest your money. You may invest $20,000 down on a new home and wonder how well that money would do in the stock market. When you buy a home, you will realize appreciation on the entire $200,000 value of the home, not just on the $20,000 you put down. In 12 years, your home could be worth $280,000 ... and you only invested $20,000 in cash for an $80,000 gain.

In the past 40 years, real estate has delivered the most consistent positive return over any investment, according to the National Association of REALTORS^®.

There are many advantages to owning a home. One of the biggest is the tax break you receive. This means you will earn credit on your tax return for the money spent on interest — a tax credit you would not receive if you were renting.

When you are buying a home, you are building equity and adding to your assets. (Equity is the difference between the value of your home and the amount you still owe on it.) Let's say you bought a home several years ago for $100,000 and your mortgage loan is $80,000. Today, your home may be valued at $110,000, giving you $30,000 in equity (a $110,000 value minus the $80,000 you owe equals $30,000).