With the holiday season upon us, there’s something special in the air. The warmth and anticipation that comes along with the holiday spirit is priceless. Families, friends, and loved ones gathering, celebrating each other, and counting blessings…personally, I can’t think of anything more magical.
After this difficult year, we all need some of the TLC that the holidays offer. We have faced challenges, fear, and numerous difficulties in 2020. Now is our chance to be there for each other, support one another, and reflect on silver linings. Sure, there has been a seemingly endless list of losses—but that can never negate our ability to also see the gains.
The entire world was forced to grow and adapt. Although it was in the face of a crisis, we shouldn’t disregard the fact that it was a never-before-seen opportunity for us. We’ve all learned something new this year. And at the very least, we have gained a newfound appreciation for the little things in life.
2020 has shown us what is truly important: the people we love, support we give and receive, and a safe place to call home.
What Does Home Mean to You?
After spending most of our time indoors, we’ve been forced to zoom in on what immediately impacts our lives. With the holidays upon us, we’ll have even more home-centered activities.
Our homes have been our primary base of support throughout these difficult times. If we had nothing else, we had home. Be it laughter or pain, our homes have been our haven.
There is a big difference between a house and a home. Any four walls and a roof can be a house. We see hundreds of houses every week. But we only have one home—but what do I mean by that?
The way I see it, home is really where the heart is. That may be a cliché, but I can take this idea even deeper.
Our heart muscle is one of the most constant things in our lives. It may be silent, but every beat is the foundation of our lives. And our heart is also the core of our emotion. It’s the safe space where our most authentic selves rest. Unbothered by the stresses of the outer world, our heart is both our resilience and our hope.
This is what home means to me. Home is a constant in our lives. It’s the place we always return to, where our memories are made, and where we can truly be ourselves. The home is our support, a place that we can always depend on when we need it. Our home is the backdrop to our lives.
Embracing Time
Nothing maximizes the 'home’ experience more than homeownership. When you own your home, you’re able to embrace time. After all, the benefits of homeownership only increase with time.
When you own a home, you’re not worried about losing touch with the past or navigating an unknown future. You can simply be in the moment. The security and stability that homeownership brings is a treasure that we can never take for granted.
3 Benefits of Homeownership
It’s not just the mental or emotional benefits of homeownership that make it so special. Here are three other rapid-fire perks to owning your home:
Building Wealth Over Time
Owning a home is a way to support your family for years to come. Homeownership is a strong vehicle for long-term wealth creation. As you are paying your mortgage, you are increasing the equity you have in your home. You are increasing your wealth and your financial security. Financial security and investment value are both noteworthy benefits of being a homeowner. Nothing can compare to the potential wealth you can build with home ownership over time.
Fortifying Local Communities
Owning a home is the best way to give back to your community. Homeownership tangibly builds communities. It’s not just you who benefits when you choose homeownership. Your neighbors do too, and so do their children. Local schools, social programs, and those who are in need all benefit from homeownership.
Making Memories
When you look around and see pencil marks in the doorway marking your kids’ heights from a decade ago, that’s home. The place that you get to see your favorite sapling mature into a tree, that’s home. Children, grandchildren, family, and friends, all making memories that last a lifetime… that’s home.
All things considered; I think that this holiday season will be overflowing with gratitude for so many of us. Centered in and on gratitude for our home. No matter where we are or how we’re celebrating, we all have something to be thankful for. I wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season. You deserve it.
Stanley C. Middleman
CEO President
Freedom Mortgage Corporation
