Owning a home is the American Dream.  A home not only provides financial  benefits, but it also provides shelter and security to families.

Did you know that:

• Home owners move less often and are more likely to vote and volunteer time for political and charitable causes than renters?
• Children of homeowners tend to perform better in school and attain higher levels of education than children of parents who do not own a home?
• Dollar for dollar, the rate of return on an individual's cash down payment on a house is substantial? Given the leverage in purchasing a home, the average return on a 5% down payment over 10 years is usually three to five times greater than stock market returns?
• When you own a home you may be able to deduct the property taxes and mortgage interest from your income taxes?
• In most cases the gains that you make when you sell your primary residence are tax free?
• As a first time buyer, if you qualify and have an accepted contract on a home before April 30, 2010, the you're eligible for an $8000 tax credit - also, the FHA, at the urging of the National Association of Realtors, has changed the rules to make this money available to you at closing!

 Don't think you can handle homeownership?

 A new website helps homeowners make the most of their investment everyday. When a wall oven breaks down, homeowners face an immediate decision. Should they fix it or replace it?  It often depends on what the first service person who calls back has to say. When hail storms come in the summer, homeowners make a similar leap of faith in hiring a transient roofing company.  And consumers who've heard  about an energy tax credit for installing new windows sometimes miss out because they cant find the details.

Becoming a well informed homeowner has just become a whole lot easier. www.HouseLogic.com puts the power of the National Association of Realtors behind you, giving you a world-class resource for information about protecting, maintaining, and increasing the value of your home. Here's a sampling of the site's expert advice:

• When to make an insurance claim and when to skip it
• How to start a neighborhood letter writing campaign
• Signs of energy leaks
• How much value will a 2 story addition add?
• Spring and summer maintenance guide

 There has never been a better time to buy a home......

get inspired and get going!