Renters are forced to live by the terms of their lease agreements, you usually need a landlord’s permission to paint, hang shelves, or maybe even to improve the landscaping. Come to think of it, why would you want to spend money to improve somebody else’s home anyway? Sure, you get to enjoy it, but for how long. Odds are, when you leave, you will have to change everything back the way it was when you first moved in.

When you own a home, you can do whatever you want. Painting, new carpets, window treatments, knock down a wall, add a new room... it’s up to you. Not only will you get to enjoy the changes, but odds are they will only increase your home’s value in the long run.