Ever since I was a boy growing up in Pennsylvania I dreamed owning a home that would be my castle. My parents and grandparents all had a very strong ethic for home ownership which they also associated with financial security.
I loved my boyhood home and did not want my parents to ever sell it. My parents saved their money during World War II. They bought land in the suburbs of Philadelphia, bought and modified a Better Homes and Gardens home plan, hired contractors and trades people and my father did some of the trim and finishing himself.
When I got my first job after college I was already planing ot buy a home as soon as possible. I did not like living in a garden apartment. I got my opportunity after a Sears move to White Plains NY. I spent considerable time with agents in three areas within communting distance to White Plains. I really liked a single home in Connecticut but is was far from civilization and I was still single. I bought a luxury three year old condo very close to my work. Subsequently, I got marred and we had our first daughter. Now the luxury condo did not fit the new lifestyle so we traded up to a new development of luxury town homes. We loved our home and I finished the basement just in time for our second daughter.
Well now that townhome was too small. Time to get that four bedroom colonial we dreamed about. We were lucky to locate a group of lots in a cul du sac that was being spot built by a local contractor. It is located in one of the most prestigious towns in Westchester with a top school system. We felt lucky to land that. It has been our home for 30 years and our children grew up and went to school there. We still love the house.
Here it is. Front and Deck in Back
Our dream has also been to own a second vacation home and in 2017 we purchased a newly built home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. We are truly at home in both houses. Here is our Florida house; the front and the back yard on the lake.
What has home ownership meant to us? Happiness, comfort, security, and pride of ownership. And the good news is that we have set the example for our children who are building their homes. This is our entry for Debe Maxwell, CRS contest, Homeownership - An Active Rain Challenge.
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