I just thought of another favorite PLUS. Until our home, we had always lived in military quarters from the day I was born!! This means standard issue eggshell walls, etc!! Now, there is not one room that is not painted a pretty shade or stenciled in some way - not gaudy - but decorated!! Window treatments everywhere - flooring and carpet we like - pictures actually nailed to the wall - AHHH!!! I LOVE my home I love knowing that payment goes to OUR home, I can plant shrubbery, trees, flowers and they belong to US!!! YES, it was terrifying. I still remember the *CLOSING* and palms sweating like we were taking on this enormous thing, but now, it's great! And don't forget the taxbreaks!!