The "New Normal" in 2012: Renting Doesn't Mean "Throwing Money Away" and Buying a House Isn't an "Investment"

The US Homeownership rate continues to drop.  It used to be that typically, housing appreciated at the rate of inflation, 2% per year, plus an additional 1-2% per year.  Not so post-bubble.  Locally and nationally, home price declines are expected to continue for the next couple years; C'ville Area's home sales are at a 13-year low.  Nationwide, more and more folks are coming to the conclusion