I often run into folks who have owned their home for years, some as long as 20 or even 40 years. That truly says “home” to me! I can’t help but to ask them if they ever wish that they had owned more homes along the way. A resounding “yes” is always the answer.

This speaks volumes to the word “home,” not house, and the memories and the pride that goes with owning your little piece of this earth. It also speaks to the fact that the current readjustment in price is only a reset for steady appreciation in the future, as the population continues to grow.  Who doesn’t want to stand in the yard or on their condo porch and say “This is my solace for old age?”

“More houses” is what I hear, along with “I just wish I would have moved more often.”  The value of ownership is alive and well. You might think differently because of all the news about depreciation, short sales, foreclosures and people being under water. While we’re seeing the highest number of challenged properties ever, these only represent a small portion of the total number of homes owned in America.

Babies are born every day. People continue to migrate to this part of the country, and more than 90 percent are employed. They all want to own their own home. More people than ever will look back on the Fall of 2010 and wish they would have bought more property. Homes are where memories are created, where we build our future. Home is where the heart is.

By Pat Riley