Homeownership Still Holds a Place in the American Dream
While some priorities vary widely across generations, owning a home remains relevant and highly desirable in American culture.
Homeownership has long been deeply entwined with the ideals America strives to stand for: opportunity. Freedom. Individualism. There were a few years when many predicted that millennials would be the first generation preferring to rent, but recent data proves otherwise. Homeownership still appeals cross-generationally to widely held priorities and values in the U.S.
Financial freedom
It’s no secret that owning a home has the potential to improve wealth, build equity, and skyrocket overall financial health of families for generations. That’s why making homeownership more accessible is such a strong push for equity.
Owning a home means payments, repairs, and improvements happen on your terms - no worrying that landlords will raise rent next year, no depending on a property management company to take care of the broken water pipe. Over time, the more equity is built in a home, the more options a family has. Retirement funds, college savings, and emergency funds all build up in time through equity.
Personalization
Opportunities for self-expression reach new heights for homeowners. Beyond showing our personalities through the way we dress and present ourselves, or choosing a few pieces of art to hang in a rented apartment, we get to manifest our preferences and tastes structurally, with the very walls we live in. Interior design details like furnishings, painting walls, and choosing redesign projects get at the heart of our creativity and priorities.
Custom building provides still more opportunity for personalization. Not only do landscaping projects and design choices rest with the homeowner, but the very layout and key features of the home depend on their tastes and needs. Custom building means our homes reflect who we are: how we spend our time, what we like to do, and what we find beautiful.
Independence
Self-reliability and pride of ownership are the epitome of American individualist culture. From our roots crossing seas to part from feudal structures that reserved land ownership for the ultra-wealthy, to the idyllic 1950’s scenes of picket fences and housewives, carving out a place of our own has always struck a chord. Owning land and choosing how to sustain ourselves with it - whether it’s a backyard garden, a garage workshop, or a basement art studio - is profoundly empowering.
Privacy, difficult to come by in apartment buildings and particularly crucial in a pandemic, comes more easily to homeowners. The balance of an individual, self-driven life and a service-oriented community mindset results in fulfilling neighborhood projects and city-wide improvements. When we have a vested interest in where we live, we take the time to make it better.
Ready to make your dreams come true? Build an Atmos home that fits all your needs and preferences, with a smooth and seamless process. Learn how today!
