Gratitude is something you can never have too much of in your life. Even the medical community thinks so!
Citing psychology research, the Harvard Medical School says gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
We may be biased, but we believe homeownership offers all sorts of potential for gratitude. It’s easy to focus on the financial benefits, and there’s nothing wrong with that, because there are plenty. But along the lines of the research findings above, here are 4 things homeowners can be thankful for that are incredibly valuable – even though you won’t find them on your personal balance sheet.
Stress-Relief and Stability
When you’re stuck in a cycle of renting, you can never really be sure what your monthly housing payment will be year after year. One thing’s for sure: rents rarely go down, and your budget is at the mercy of your landlord and prevailing market conditions. That can be a lot to worry about. On the other hand, a fixed-rate mortgage offers predictability in the principle and interest portion of your monthly payment (not to mention part of each payment goes toward building your own equity and net worth, not someone else’s).
New Hobbies and Interests
Many homeowners say that after buying a house, they developed skills they never knew they had, or they rediscovered talents that had long been dormant. There’s always something to do to repair or spruce up a property, so maybe there’s a carpenter or landscaper inside you. There might even be space in your home you can transform into a music room or art studio where you can unleash your creativity. And if you’re a sports fan, there are several things you can do that you may not be able to as a renter.
A Place to Make Memories
As a renter, it’s easy to feel like your living space constantly has an expiration date. While it’s true you could have a move or two in your future after you buy a home, you also have the option of planting deep roots and staying put permanently. That’s a major perk, especially if you have kids and you want them to have one place where they can grow up, make friends, and feel at home.
A Sense of Pride and Purpose
Think back to when you were a child and you socked away your allowance and birthday/holiday money to buy that one prized possession you always wanted. Now, multiply that memory by a million. Welcome to homeownership! The feelings of accomplishment, providing for yourself and your family, and belonging to a neighborhood or community are truly priceless.
If all of this sounds good to you, contact a Homeowners Licensed Mortgage Professional to put your own pursuit of gratitude in motion. While we can’t guarantee you’ll find happiness when you buy a home, we can promise we’ll do everything we can to make the mortgage process fast and easy so you can start enjoying all of the benefits of homeownership as soon as possible.
You can thank us later!
