Congratulations! You’re a Homeowner!

I moved across town this week to a new home, and started the seemingly endless phone calls and emails to change my address, establish utilities, and generally get my new life in a new community in order.

My call to the local power company was especially interesting. Every customer service rep I talked with (and there were quite a few), asked if I owned my home (I do) and then congratulated me. Heartily and with feeling.

In MortgageKeeper’s business, we help homeowners who might believe their homes to be more burden than blessing. It made me wonder–how do homeowners feel about their homes? Did enthusiasm for homeownership go the way of the housing bubble, interest only mortgages, and zero down payments? Or is it cause for celebration and housewarming parties?

A recent study by Coldwell Banker showed that homeownership is still a vital part of the American Dream.  In fact, even though a home is perhaps worth less than it was during the housing bubble, folks still believe their homes are a crucial part of who they are. You can read more about their findings here.

How about you? Do you see your home differently now than you did 5 years ago?