During the same 28 years, home values have also experienced some ups and downs in individual housing markets. Owning Versus Renting. Purchasing a home can provide greater returns than renting and putting money in alternative investments. Compared against the alternative of renting while investing in stocks, buying a home comes up a winner over the long term, as the following example illustrates. Again, this example is based on national statistics reflecting the past 10 years.
Individual markets can vary considerably.
For Homeowners Only. There are unique tax benefits that apply only to homeownership. Unique tax benefits that apply only to housing have made it stand out for decades in a field crowded with alternative investments. And under the tax code changes enacted in 1997, homeownership fares even better. Furthermore, owning a home provides a valuable place to live.