A GOOD CHUNK OF the U.S. population refuses to give up renting. We're not sure how many renters are stubborn hold-outs (the U.S. Census doesn't measure in terms of obstinacy, although we do know that the majority of Americans own their own home). For many, the American Dream is simply out of reach for financial reasons.

But, for others, it's not the money, it's the....well, we've come up with five reasons why people don't want to buy real estate. Perhaps you've used these excuses yourself or know a colleague, a family member or a friend who has.

Here are the most common excuses, and the counter-arguments made by financial planners.

EXCUSE #1: "Everyone is way too insane about real estate."

Count this as the "protest" renter the person who perpetually rents, who thinks they're too cool for school and doesn't want to be one of those people who talks about renovation projects at a cocktail party. (The true "protest" renter also protests cocktail parties.) These people might also fear growing up, becoming their parents, owning guest towels, etc.

Counter: Well, owning your own home IS a responsibility and if you're not ready for it, then don't do it. Of course, you'll miss out on nice tax breaks for mortgage interest and property taxes, which make owning a compelling proposition for many. Not to mention you're not exactly building equity when you split the rent with the roomies (but, hey, it does help with the cable bill).

For many people, buying a home is their first crack at building their net worth over the long term. The traditional way to ease into home ownership is to buy something like a condominium or townhouse, so your weekends aren't spent at the home-improvement store picking up weed whackers. But be careful: You might feel like a real adult once you own.

EXCUSE #2: "Renting is a good deal."

Truth be told, there is some logic to that. After all, if something breaks in your rental apartment, you just call your landlord. You don't spend money on pricey renovations. Heck, you don't have to pay property taxes. And if you've got enough money for a down payment, why dump that cash into an expensive home, when you could use it to buy something like stocks instead?

you will get a mortgage deduction for the interest you re paying; 2) you are also building the equity in your home; 3) the value of your home is likely to appreciate over the long term. When you cut a rent check, you get nothing back but the right to stay put for another 30 days or so.

True, you could put money into the stock market rather than using it for a down payment on a home and you will likely get a better return over time. But the higher return you may get in stocks starts to look puny when you consider that you will be paying for housing each month with no tax benefits and no equity to show for it years later.

What s more, your home to some extent should be considered an investment that diversifies a portfolio of stocks and bonds and other investments. While recent history has shown that the real estate market can have sharp increases and devastating declines in the short-term, over the long term real estate generally appreciates at the same rate as the cost of living, experts say. If it doesn t appreciate, you still gain because it doubles (hopefully) as a nice place to live.

Oh, and for those averse to paying taxes? Don't fool yourself. Even renters pay property taxes. That's often what most of your rent check goes to pay, and your landlord not you gets the tax deduction.

EXCUSE #3: "Buy a house on my own? Should I wait until I get married?

Research has found that single women are leaping into real estate well ahead of single men. Yet there are plenty of both men and women who confess that they feel they should wait to buy a house until they have found their significant other. After all, it s not only more fun to make such big decisions jointly, but it makes more sense to pool resources to pull off a healthy down payment, right?

Counter: Tsk, tsk, don t put your life on hold, financial advisers say. Singles are just as capable as couples at doing things on their own. A home is a perfect way to begin building wealth. Accept that you are not going to be comfortable with the process, but do what you can to prepare for it, such as reading books on real estate, or doing research on the Internet. Buying a home is a smart decision that should start when you are financially ready.

EXCUSE #4: "I'm afraid of commitment."

Funny, we hear this excuse more from men. But seriously, there are some meaty issues here. Many people aren't sure they want to commit to a certain city, especially if they re building a career and possibly switching jobs. And despite the fact that we're a nation of debtors, some people perish the thought of taking on an enormous mortgage. Others are worried about the possibility of outgrowing their home, perhaps because they're considering starting a family or having more children.

Counter: As excuses go, this one isn't bad. Most experts recommend that you stay in your house at least three to five years, to recoup costs associated with closing and to see an increase in the home's value. Plus, you need time to weather the ups and down, such as shifts in interest rates that can quickly turn a healthy seller's market into one where the buyer calls the shots.

In addition, from a tax perspective, you need to own your home for at least one year to qualify for the long-term capital-gains tax rate on profits; own it for more than two years and there's no tax on the proceeds from a sale (up to $250,000 for singles, and $500,000 for married couples). Bottom line, experts say: Purchase a home only if you plan to live there at least five years.

Research has shown that home buyers put thousands of dollars on credit cards upon moving into a home because suddenly they need everything from a dining room table to a garden hose.

So approach home buying carefully: Put it on hold if you've had some traumatic thing happen in your life maybe it's the loss of a spouse, or a divorce, or a job change. And take an extra year or two if you haven t build up enough of a down payment and other savings. Aim for at least a 20% down payment, and be sure you have a stable job.

EXCUSE #5: "I'm worried about disaster striking."

No doubt about it this is a valid concern. Hurricanes, terrorist attacks, earthquakes and other potential catastrophes can strike fear in the hearts of many potential home buyers. But should it stop you from buying a home?

Counter: Nope. Historically speaking, property values bounce back, especially if the disaster happens in a desirable area. Real estate in Manhattan, for instance, has soared in value since the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. And despite mudslides, earthquakes and even smog, property along the California coastline is still the most sought-after in the country.

What to do if you're really worried? Before you buy, call in a loss-prevention specialist, who can analyze the individual home's design and construction to see how likely it could survive a catastrophe. Then, if you really want peace of mind, beef up your insurance. For starters, people who are investing in expensive homes (in vulnerable areas) should make sure their policies include guaranteed-replacement-cost coverage, which will protect you during rebuilding if the prices of labor and material surge.

Make sure your policy covers debris removal, rebuilding to code and additional living expense coverage, in case it takes you months or even over a year to rebuild. There's a good chance you might not want to rebuild if disaster strikes, so check to see if your policy provides an optional cash settlement so you can decide whether to build or take the money and run.

In places where flooding is a concern, many homeowners get basic coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. Upscale customers may want to buy excess flood coverage (offered by private insurers) to supplement that.

CONCLUSION:

We like real estate. If you've got a down payment, a stable job and an area you're comfortable living in for years to come, go for it.