Being a Home Owner
By Mike Hansen
Being a home owner means I'm no longer paying rent and getting nothing in return. I finally have a place that holds all my belongings.
I feel a part of the community. I know my neighbors and they know me. We help each other. A few weeks ago during a storm, strong winds blew down a tree in my front yard. A neighbor saw me having a hard time sawing the tree with a bow saw, so he got his chainsaw out and sawed the tree into pieces in no time. Then I gave him all the wood to use in his fireplace.
I feel more of an equal with my family and people in the community. Most people are home owners - I am too. I feel that I have more to talk about with them. We share the same experiences - the good and the bad.
Being a home owner makes me feel proud. My family helped me paint. My house looks great. Every time I fix something I feel proud. Owning my own home hasn't been all glory. Snow removal can be a back breaker. Also, there's a lot to do. Sometimes the inside repairs are tough, but I can usually find someone for help or advice. Sometimes I worry how to pay for repairs. Most people are OK with payments - otherwise I save up.
But one thing is for sure: I never want to go back to not being a home owner.
Reprinted with permission from Voiceprint, a publication of Advocating Change Together, St. Paul, MN.