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Repost - A Measured response to Time Magazine's housing hit piece.

By
Real Estate Agent with 1st Action Real Estate

While I took a decidedly more aggressive approach to the recent Time Magazine article on Rethinking Homeownership (The War on Homeownership Has Begun) - this blogger took a more direct and measured approach. Of course since he values security, education, civic participation, happiness and wealth creation he's apparently one of those elitist homeowner types who should not be listened to - but his opinion is spot on.

Want to be happier, healthier and have brighter kids?

If I told you there is a way for you to live happier, healthier, accumulate wealth and build social status; would you be interested?

What if at the same time you could boost the educational performance of your children and lower your chance of becoming a victim of crime?  Do I have your interest peeked even greater?

Finally, what if in addition to the above mentioned opportunities you would realize higher civic participation, enhance your volunteering activity and lessen any need for public assistance?  Is there anyone reading who I haven’t created a mild case of curiosity in now?

In 1931 James Truslow Adams coined in his book, “The Epic of America” the concept of; “The American Dream.”  He stated: “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement… a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”

My contention is the “American Dream” by Adams, contains as an essential element, the opportunity for each of us to own our own homes.  Homeownership through many independent studies, over many years, has proven to provide all of the benefits discussed above.  Let me take just a little time with you to cover some detail on each of them.

Homeownership, in addition to the benefits I cited above, accounted for 14 percent of the United States economic activity in the housing sector alone.  Homeowner’s real estate holdings totaled $16,500,000,000,000.00 ($16.5 trillion, included 000’s for effect) in 2010.  This is after all the devastation we have realized in our “Great Recession.”  If we subtract liabilities, the net value (equity) of American homeowner’s in 2010 is $6.3 trillion; astounding!

If we go back to the turn of the 20th Century American’s homeownership rate was below 50%.  It has gradually increased to a record high in 2004 of 69% and is currently hovering around 67% as I write this piece.

A fact discussed as a component of adding the benefits I have covered is the stability homeownership provides to community.  A homeowner moves far less frequently than does a renter.  The difference is staggering; a renter changes residence 6 times as often as do homeowners.  Homeowners who do move cite they do so: first– to a better home or neighborhood, second– for family reasons and lastly– for employment.

Homeowner’s have positive impact on their children in both achieving higher levels of education and reducing deviant behavior.  Studies show the home purchase is one of the largest financial decisions we make; homeowners tend show greater responsibility through managing the financial commitment and maintaining skills required to handle the payments.  Additionally, bad behavior which would detract from the value is minimized in the home and parents help, “police the neighborhood” eliminating similar activities outside.  It comes to reason that with children reaching higher levels of education their earning capacity improves as well.

Children who grow up in a home, which is owned, have a much higher probability of becoming a homeowner.  Part of our societies push to improve learning should include a strategy to promote homeownership.

Civic duties increase as the natural move from spending time and money maintaining the home, spills over into interest in the quality of the surrounding community.  The political process too is improved as incentives to protect the neighborhood are managed through concern over who is making community decisions.  Homeowners vote at a much higher percentage (nearly 50% more) than do renters.  Too, homeowners know the names of school board members and elected officials twice as often as do renters.

Volunteering increases as does attendance in churches.  The reason suggested for this, is simply the stability of the homeowner equates to their interest in engaging in the community; this comes in a variety of ways.

Ownership includes the feeling of individual autonomy, through possessing our own property.  Wealth is created with the appreciation of the asset, which over time has proven to be reliable investment.  Homeowner’s are better able to deal with financial setbacks or deal with being laid off because they can access their equity.  This gives community self-reliant citizens who don’t require as much public assistance.

As people become homeowners they are likely to have higher life satisfaction, higher self-esteem and a higher perceived control of their life.  The homeowners develop a sense of being able to do things as well as anyone participating in stable relationships.  Homeowner’s feel self-fulfillment having reached the milestone of achieving, “The American Dream.”

Jaren

Comments (8)

Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Ownership is a key part of society.  Even children learn to respect their toys more when they have to deal with their loss or breakage on their own... 

It scales to communities.

Aug 31, 2010 03:28 PM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Congratulations this post is now featured in the Silent Majority Group of Active Rain.

Aug 31, 2010 03:31 PM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Gene - thanks for the repost. Homeownership has benefits for the entire community as well as the individual.

Sep 01, 2010 02:55 AM
Cheri Smith
Prudential Gary Greene, Cypress TX - Cypress, TX
Realtor Prudential Gary Greene

The only problem is that some people think the govmt is supposed to supply that house to you instead of you having to work hard, save for a down payment and then buy a house. Home ownership is great. I'm hoping to buy a second one in the next few years and use my current one as a rental property. My kids have attended the same school for 11 years now. Two graduated already. Most of my family never graduated from high school and most were not home owners. Coincidence? I don't know but it's working for us. We now have 3 in college though. My bank account says ouch!

Sep 01, 2010 03:02 AM
Gene Wunderlich
1st Action Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
Realtor & Legislative Liaison

I thought this guy's article was an excellent take on some of the morte intangible benefits of homeownership. Of course if the government can't put a price tag on it and tax it,, it's not worth spit to them.

Sep 01, 2010 05:31 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I agree that RESPONSIBLE homeownership is KEY; however, having people stroke the pen and receiving keys who do not qualify and who can not make the required payments serves no one - http://vacantproperties.org

Sep 02, 2010 12:15 AM
Cheri Smith
Prudential Gary Greene, Cypress TX - Cypress, TX
Realtor Prudential Gary Greene

I was wondering if I am the only one who has noticed that this latest generation of 25-30 somethings expect to be able to buy a house better than the ones their parents have for their first home? What is up with that?! What happened to starting with a starter home and moving up as the years go by? I think expectation is a big problem. Immediate grattification stemming from growing up in the technology era?

Sep 02, 2010 04:18 AM
Gene Wunderlich
1st Action Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
Realtor & Legislative Liaison

No Cheri, you are absolutely correct. For many the starting point is a home similar, if not nicer, than the home their parents have - which is usually the culmination of a lifetime effort for the parents. Expectations, immediate gratification and responsibility are all key.

Sep 02, 2010 08:17 AM