National Homeownership Month Highlights Opportunities to Support the American Dream

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) wants current and future homeowners to know about the many opportunities they have to show their support for the American Dream of homeownership during National Homeownership Month in June. For anyone looking to buy their first home, or to move up to a space that is better suited for their current lifestyle, market conditions make it a great time to buy a home. And a new website from NAHB (www.ProtectHomeownership.com) helps the public take action to protect the many benefits of owning a home that are being threatened by legislative and regulatory proposals.

"Anyone thinking of buying a home shouldn't wait any longer," said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "Housing markets around the country are improving, home prices have stabilized, there is a great selection of available homes for sale, and interest rates are at near historic low levels."

Current and future homeowners can also take action to protect homeownership. In May, NAHB launched www.ProtectHomeownership.com, a website that educates the public about the threats to the American Dream of homeownership, including proposals to scale back or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and make mortgages and small business loans unaffordable and even more difficult to obtain.

The site empowers visitors to make sure their support is heard with an online petition that urges policymakers to keep housing a national priority, and information about how to participate in homeownership rallies that are being held in a number of communities in 2012. There are also links to stay informed by joining social media communities on Facebook.com/ProtectHomeownership and Twitter.com/4Homeownership.

Even with the recent economic downturn, American families still value the American Dream of homeownership. A January 2012 study conducted on behalf of NAHB found that 96 percent of homeowners said they are happy with their decision to own. Nearly seven out of 10 American adults who are not currently homeowners said it was a goal of theirs to buy a home.

"Homeownership remains a core value to American families," said Rutenberg. "Even more important than the financial advantages of homeownership, is that first and foremost, a home is where your family can relax, spend quality time together and build lifelong memories."

 
Published with permission from RISMedia.