POINT OF VIEW: Whatley Report

A reason to celebrate

In six of the last seven years, we’ve had record existing-home sales. That statistic speaks to the value Americans place on homeownership. But the statistic also demands something of us. When we look back at this period in our history, will we remember it only as a time when our industry thrived or also as a time when we gave of ourselves, helping more Americans become homeowners? What will be our legacy?

A year ago President Bush declared June National Homeownership Month, saying: “Homeownership encourages personal responsibility and the values necessary for strong families. Where homeownership flourishes, neighborhoods are more stable, residents are more civic-minded, schools are better, and crime rates decline.”

I’m proud to say that’s a message the National Association of REALTORS® has been spreading since 1952, when it launched “Build America Better” to focus the spotlight on the need to renovate rundown urban neighborhoods. This year homeownership will again be celebrated by REALTORS® around the country, with the theme “This is my home.” The theme puts special emphasis on the intangibles that come with homeownership—pride, memories, strengthened commitment to communities. It also reminds us that decent, affordable shelter is a cornerstone of our nation.

Thousands of you will take that reminder as a call to action to participate in activities, this month and throughout the year, to help struggling Americans find a better home.

What I find exciting is the great variety of programs that are operating with the support of REALTORS®. A 13-year-old Maine program that earmarks interest from earnest money accounts for affordable housing causes recently surpassed the $1 million giving mark. The Rhode Island Association this year launched a revolving loan program that will enable a nonprofit developer to create affordable housing in one of the state’s least affordable counties. One of the most promising initiatives is a new wave of downpayment assistance programs that not only help cash-strapped buyers get into a home but also put money back into housing causes supported by REALTORS®. The programs are operating at several state associations through a partnership with International Housing Solutions. For every transaction involving IHS, the nonprofit contributes a portion of its transaction fee to the state association’s charitable foundation. Since January the program has raised $17,000 in Colorado alone.

REALTORS® are doing great work in the education arena, too. For example, the Wichita, Kan., association has been sponsoring an annual housing information fair for nearly 10 years; the Greater Rochester, N.Y., association monitors and promotes homeownership; and the Southwest Los Angeles board hosts monthly buyer education courses. The list goes on and on.

Homeownership among U.S. households is approaching 70 percent. That’s phenomenal, and it’s partly due to our commitment. I encourage you to get involved in your state or local association’s National Homeownership Month activities. Working together, we can help ensure that many more Americans are able to say, “This is my home.”

—NAR President Cathy Whatley, CIPS, CRS®, GRI, LTG

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

For more information on National Homeownership Month, including a PDF version of the “This is my home” reference kit, click the links below.

"This is my home” reference kit

President's proclamation for National Homeownership Month from June 2002