Location, location, location.
If you're in a bad location (i.e. bad part of town or even a great part of town where the prices are inflated) you could be in trouble.
The way you finance can also cause you problems, witness those in pain now with their ARMs.
Over the past 25+ years I've been living on my own I've rented if I've KNOWN I was going to stay somewhere less than 3 years. I've heard the "experts" have extended that to 5 years. I do know my house just appraised for more than twice what I paid for it 6 years ago. That makes me happy
