Just to let you know, that i used to run a email server from home, using different free (or very cheap) software packages. But found out that some email address's simply would not recieve emails, due to the use of a dynamic ip (im with ntl) i think dynabl.org was the blacklist, either way, you cannot avoid it.
You can use your isp's email server as a forward (so your email server at home forwards email through you isp's), if you only plan on using the email server for your own email account, i would probably advise not to bother at all, especially if its an important thing that all your emails are recieved by there recipients. If your planning on hosting a few different email address's then it can be worthwhile.
The server i used to use is now colocated mainly to stop my emails bouncing and not getting delivered and i also now use the same blacklists that stopped me sending email in the first place, as they probably stop 70-80% of the spam.
If you do decide to get your own server, then make sure that your DNS/SPF settings for your domains are setup correctly, and that you spend enough time on the security side, so that you are not an open relay for spammers. Also be prepared that 90%+ of the connections made will be spam
hmmm, i might just leave it as it is then