Peerpole

Homeownership is part of the American Dream. From the studios of Hollywood to the Halls of Congress, it is a well marketed and popular dream. People buy houses:

• to have something to call their own
• to settle down with a wife and kid
• to manage their property
• to make a good investment

Nevertheless with every dream comes an illusion and sometimes a scam.

It takes most people 30 years to really own their home...
The average down payment in 2007 was 2% down from 10% in 1989
The typical homes in 2006 sold for $301,000 so with a median income of $50,233 so really a 30 year mortgage is the average family's only option...

Settle down with a wife and kid
When adjusted for inflation, the salaries have been falling since 1999 so committing 20-30% of your shrinking earnings for the next 30 years is not really safe. Renting gives you flexibility to scale up or down depending on your situation. This way there can be money left over to send your children to college, go on vacation or even save. 

Manage your own property
Can't argue this one. Then again, I would not consider decorating a priority.

Low or No Return investment
Adjusted for inflation, home values increased by 0.5% annually from 1950 to 2000. As time goes by, bigger and better homes are built so existing ones grow slowly in value if at all. While housing prices have skyrocketed from 2000 to 2006 but with an excess in inventory and shortage of capital, home values are destined to fall down hard.

There is nothing wrong with buying a house but not at the price of hanging yourself with 30 years worth of debt. Save and avoid long term financing commitments because life is uncertain...

Cash is your only protection because an asset is only worth what someone else would pay for it and that can be a risky gamble.

Data Source