The Dream of Home Ownership

Owning one’s own home is truly part of the American dream. Home ownership means many different things, being rooted and grounded in a community, having the freedom of one’s own space, establishing a legacy to pass down to future generations, and building wealth are a few of the key benefits of home ownership.

Buying a house is not just a matter of material ownership, of owning a piece of land with a structure on it, but it is also a matter of emotional groundedness, putting down roots in a certain place and calling it your home. Being rooted in a place enriches the community at large as well as the individuals who own the home. Having roots in a home kicks off a legacy that can last for many generations as the home is passed down. A well-made house can last much longer than any other material possession that the modern person owns.

Home ownership is also synonymous with freedom. When you own a property, you are at liberty to renovate, to add on, to change, to transform in the way you choose. In your own home, you have a sanctuary where you are able to truly be yourself and express yourself. From renovation to decoration, a home is an expression of the individuality of its owners. Owning a home gives you a space where you can do your own thing freely, whether that’s playing the tuba, dancing the tango, or making sculptures out of toothpicks.

Owning a home has multiple financial benefits as well. A homeowner’s monthly contribution to their mortgage goes toward building something of permanent value, as opposed to rent, which is only temporary. In some cases, a mortgage may actually be less expensive than paying rent. A well-kept home will also appreciate in value over time, so home owners who keep their homes in good shape over the long haul will end up owning something worth more than the price they paid for it.

There are many idioms about home-  a man’s home is his castle, home is where the heart is, there’s no place like home, make yourself at home, homesick, etc. This all points to the primacy of home, and home ownership, in our collective hearts and minds. A home is a wise investment on so many levels, financial, material, and emotional.

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