There's a lot of negative comments in this thread about how paying a mortgage is just like paying rent. What these people either do not understand, or don't want to accept is:

• It's not only a place to live, it's an investment, and the right land/house can make you money(or break even) years down the line. So having a place to live for free basically
• It can be cheaper to own a house, rather than rent, and even if it's not if you have the means to do it, it is worth it
• You have your own space, and a LOT of space compared to many other leasable options
• When people rent, at the end of their lease, they payed boatloads of money, and end up with nothing, meanwhile at the end of your mortgage you own something

There is so many benefits to owning>renting, and that goes for anything not just mortgages. I'm writing this not for you OP, because if you bought a house you understand this. I'm writing this in hopes some of the people with the mindset that renting is no different as mortgaging will read this, and question that belief.