Do the math. Four years ago, the monthly payment on a $300,000 house with 20% down and a mortgage rate of 6.6% was $1,533. Today that $300,000 house would sell for $213,000. With a mortgage rate of 4.2% and 20% down, the monthly payment would be $833. In addition, the down payment would be $42,600 instead of $60,000.

Also, gains are excluded from taxation if the property is a primary residence and the gain is less that $250,000 for a single filer or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly.