Home Ownership as an Investment in Your Future

The media has been pretty doom and gloom on real estate during this buyer's market. They should be telling buyer's what a great opportunity it is. Here are the facts:

1. For 43 years, real estate values have risen on average more than 6% annually. 2007 was the first year that we ever had a decline in the national median home price and that was just a little over 1%.

2. The average return on a 20% down payment is more than 28% per year.

3. The media has sensationalized the "bubble" idea. Actually, values have not exceeded their historical trend line. Values did rise quickly, but that was after 20 years of below average growth.

4. Mortgage Rates are near all time lows.

5. Inventory is higher than normal but nowhere near historical peaks.

6. The US population continues to rise and with it, so does the need and demand for housing.

7. Housing values have risen through all six recessions in the past 43 years.

8. Housing values have risen through wars, stock market crashes, terrorist attacks, corporate scandals, oil embargoes and even when mortgage rates peaked over 18%- rates are now below 5.5%.

The list goes on..

We live in a great country. What other investment can show such historical success for increasing one's net worth? And you get to live in it!!! If you don't own a home, you are missing out on the component that can most effectively increase your net worth.