6. Once in a Lifetime Exclusion. Upon sale of a personal residence, IRS allows an exemption and one does not have to pay taxes on a gain of $250,000, if single and up to a gain of $500,000, if married. For example, if you’re single and buy a property and live there for five years and property appreciates by $250,000, you can sell property and not pay any taxes at all.

7. Principal Accumulation. This is strongly tied to appreciation in property value. Payments made toward mortgage payment help you accumulate principal which essentially helps you establish a reserve savings account which you can later tap into by obtaining an equity line of credit or getting an equity loan, if needed.

8. Pride in Your Home. It is fun to invite people to “your” home and feel good about it. It also instills confidence in your family, your children and makes them more confident individuals.

9. No Landlord. You are in-charge and do not have to deal with a landlord who might not make repairs or maintain property as you would like.

10. Leverage. Where else can you buy this size of an investment with 0-5-10% down. You can buy a property for a personal residence for as low as zero down or an investment property with 5-10% down, if your credit is good, and watch investment grow. This, in turn, allows net investment return to be much higher (than actual appreciation rate on value of property). To follow up on example earlier, if property grows at 7% and doubles in value, since amount invested in buying property might be only $50,000 (at 10% down payment), actual return is much higher on $50,000 investment.

11. The Real Cost of Renting! At $700 per month, with a 6% rental increase per year, you will pay $110,719 over a 10 year period. If rent is higher, you can count on paying much more and not getting any return or tax benefits at all.

10. For thick, shiny hair, eat a diet that's rich in iron and protein

FALSE: Iron deficiency can cause hair loss, but dermatologists say reverse is not true: eating extra iron will not give you thick hair. In fact, overloading on iron can cause serious health problems (the correct amount for optimal health is about 15 milligrams a day for a woman). The same thing is true with protein. Dermatologists say protein-deficiency will cause lackluster skin and brittle hair. It's important to get enough protein, but eating more than normal won't make hair any shinier.

11. Wearing hats causes hair loss

FALSE: In order for hair to fall out, hat would have to be so tight that it cuts circulation to follicles. Milliners can breathe a collective sigh of relief!

12. Hormones are not related to hair loss

TRUE: Although hormonal imbalance can cause temporary hair loss, as is common with women after pregnancy, important thing to remember is that hair will grow back.

13. Swimming pool chemicals can turn hair green

TRUE: Frequent swimmers with natural blonde or chemically highlighted hair that is extremely porous may experience development of green tints and shades over time. This problem can be prevented with regular use of moisturizing shampoo and conditioners that provides a natural barrier to chlorine and related chemicals.

14. Hair grows faster on different parts of head

TRUE: There is some scientific evidence that growth rate of hair may vary on different parts of head for select people. There is also some indication that growth rate of hair on babies may be faster on crown than on any other parts of scalp. Usually growth rate differences are very marginal and will not impact hair appearance in any way.

SUMMARY

Heard another myth about hair? Do your research – ask an expert! This doesn’t include your grandmother, best friend or local barmaid. Instead, talk to an experienced hairdresser or a trichologist. Always get real facts before you act on any hair myths – you owe it to your hair.

Michael Barrows (With thanks to Daniel Mcullough and Karen M. Shelton)