Becoming a homeowner has long been considered the American Dream, but there's a fair amount of hoopla behind that sentiment. Not only is homeownership a huge responsibility, but in some cases, renting can actually make far more financial sense. For example, if you're able to find an affordable home in a desirable area, and don't particularly need the tax breaks associated with ownership, why dump your savings into a down payment and bear the brunt of the ongoing costs that are maintenance, property taxes, and repairs?On the other hand, homeownership certainly has its advantages, provided you've thought the decision through.