WHY HOME OWNERSHIP MATTERS

Home Ownership is part of our American Dream.  Here are some reasons why home ownership matters and to whom it matters.

TO PEOPLE...
  ~ Home owners are happier and healthier and enjoy a greater feeling of control over      
          their lives.
  ~ Owning a home is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. Historically, a 
          home owner's net worth has ranged from 31 to 46 times that of a renter.
  ~ Home owners are free to redecorate, renovate, and modify their homes as they
          wish.
  ~ Most home owners enjoy stable housing costs?a fixed-rate mortgage payment
          might not change for 15 to 30 years while rent typically increases 3% a year.
  ~ Home owners can typically deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on their
          Federal individual income tax return.

TO COMMUNITIES...
  ~ People who own homes vote more, volunteer more and contribute more to their
          neighborhoods.
  ~ Home owners do not move as frequently as renters, providing more
          neighborhood stability. In turn, this stability helps reduce crime and supports 
          neighborhood upkeep.
  ~ Children of home owners do better in school, stay in school longer, are more
          likely to participate in organized activities and spend less time in front of the
          television.

TO AMERICA...
  ~ 67% of American households are owner-occupied. America is a nation of home
          owners.
  ~ Home owners pay 80 to 90% of federal individual income taxes, contributing to 
          federal programs that benefit all Americans.
  ~ Every home purchased pumps more than $60,000 into the economy for furniture,
          home improvements and related items.
  ~ Housing accounts for more than 15% of the national Gross Domestic Product,
          a key driver of our national economy.

For more information and data on the points above, see REALTOR.org/Homeownership ?2011. 
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS?

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in the Greater Pine Island communities of Bokeelia, Pineland, Pine Island Center, St James City and Matlacha?  Sellers ~ call "Pine Island Pam" for an appointment and FREE comparative market analysis (CMA).  Buyers ~ call for a FREE Listingbook acount and search the MLS like an agent.  Call (239) 699-6567 or e-mail Pam@PineIslandPam.com.  Check out my website at PineIslandPam.com.




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