Buying my first home: May 2005; New Orleans, LA

My first home in Arabi, Louisiana! I am moving to New Orleans for my residency at Tulane University School of Medicine, and I committed myself to buying a home rather than renting for 5 years. The mortgage on it is tax-deductible, much like my $190,000 medical school debt! Rent is not a tax write-off and a waste of money.