I made the decision to buy my first house a year ago and just closed on it two weeks ago. For me it was less about the cost, although that was the genesis of th

I made the decision to buy my first house a year ago and just closed on it two weeks ago. For me it was less about the cost, although that was the genesis of the idea. I lived in Northern Virginia and paid $1,700 a month for a basic two bedrooom, 25 miles from DC. When my complex told me they would raise it soon to $1,800, I said enough. I moved to Atlanta and found rent in a better place, better amenities, etc. for only $1,100. I knew buying a house would be cheaper in the long term, but what really did it for me was the oppressive rental companies. My lease forbade people from staying at my apartment for more than 3 days without being added to the lease. Traffic and parking was horrible. Noise was horrible. What really pushed me over the edge was the constant having to be on guard from the ever present, ever spying leasing office. I now pay only $130 more per month than I did living in an apartment, but it's the freedom that I think is the real benefit of buying a home. That and triple the space...