Pride of Ownership

Nothing beats walking through the front door of your very own home for the first time. That pride of ownership feeling is one of the top reasons why people choose to own a home in the first place.

While home ownership also helps us meet one of the most basic needs for human survival-shelter to protect ourselves and our families-it also provides us with our very own private sanctuary. We have the opportunity to decorate our homes any way we like, to outfit them with gadgets and amenities that make life easier and, most importantly, to take some time and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Ultimately, our homes are an extension of who we are-something we earn and take care of as an investment in our futures. While it's important to understand that as a home owner home maintenance is a necessity, not an option, keep in mind that routine maintenance protects your investment and also increases the value of your neighborhood which ultimately helps your entire community.

And, despite the ups and downs of the housing market, home owners and non-owners alike consider owning a home essential to the American Dream.

That's the key finding of a recent survey of people likely to vote in 2012 that was conducted on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) by Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, VA and Lake Research Partners of Washington, D.C. This national survey of 2,000 likely 2012 voters was conducted May 3-9, 2011.

"The survey results show that Americans see beyond the immediate housing market to the enduring value of homeownership," Bob Nielsen, NAHB chairman, said. "An overwhelming 75% of the people who were polled said that owning a home is worth the risk of the fluctuations in the market, and 95% of the home owners said they are happy with their decision to own a home."

"Homeownership is worth the risk, pure and simple," Neil Newhouse, a partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, said. "Even though the market is weak, people who don't own say they want to buy a house. Almost three-quarters of those who do not currently own a home, 73%, said owning a home is one of their goals. And among younger voters who are most likely to be in the market for a home in the next few years, the percentages are even higher."

One of the more striking aspects of the survey results is the intensity of sentiment among potential voters, according to Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners.

"People believe overwhelmingly that owning a home is an anchor to the American Dream," she said. "It's an anchor to your retirement, and it's an anchor to your personal economic well-being."

Other survey results include:

• Homeownership and a retirement savings program are considered by voters to be their best investments.

• 80% of home owners would advise a close friend or family member just starting out to buy a home.

• Saving for a down payment and closing costs is the biggest barrier to homeownership.

• Americans believe that owning their own home is as important as being successful at their job or being able to pay for a family member's education.

"Owning a home isn't just a policy to people," Lake said. "It isn't just a commodity to people. It is a core value."

According to the poll, nearly three out of four American voters believe that it is reasonable and appropriate for the federal government to provide tax incentives to promote homeownership, a sentiment that cuts across partisan and regional lines across the country. Plus, an overwhelming majority of respondents oppose eliminating the mortgage interest deduction and would be less likely to support a candidate for Congress who wants to do away with this vital tax incentive.

"Those in Congress who believe that homeownership and housing choice should no longer be national priorities would be well-served to study the results of this poll and hear what the American people think," Nielsen said. "To put it another way, America's voters have spoken. If Congress abandons policies to support the goal of homeownership and to keep housing affordable, lawmakers could be in for a rude awakening in the 2012 elections."

More information about the survey can be found online at nahb.org/voterpoll.