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The Emotional Rewards of Homeownership and Why It’s Worth Celebrating in June

June 17, 2025 by Kay Monigold

June is National Homeownership Month, a time not only to talk about the practical steps toward owning a home but also to reflect on the emotional rewards that make the journey worth it. As a mortgage professional, I spend a lot of time working with numbers such as credit scores, down payments, and interest rates. But the most powerful part of homeownership is what cannot be measured with a calculator.

Pride in Ownership
Owning a home brings pride. There is something deeply satisfying about unlocking your front door and knowing that it belongs to you. Whether it is your very first home or the one you have been dreaming about for years, that sense of ownership carries emotional weight. You are not just investing in property. You are investing in your future and in something that reflects your effort, your goals, and your dreams.

Freedom to Make It Yours
Homeownership also brings freedom. As a renter, you are limited by rules that are not your own, like restrictions on decorating, pets, or even how many guests can visit. When you own your home, you can paint the walls any color you like, plant a garden, or renovate the kitchen. It is your space to shape, and that creative freedom can be incredibly empowering. Your home becomes a true extension of who you are.

A Sense of Stability
Then there is the sense of stability. A fixed-rate mortgage offers predictability that renting rarely provides. You are not at the mercy of a landlord’s decisions or unexpected rent increases. You have control over your housing costs, and that can create peace of mind, especially in uncertain times. For families, that stability means children can stay in the same schools, build friendships, and grow up in a consistent environment that feels safe and familiar.

Connection to Community
Owning a home also creates a sense of belonging. Neighborhoods become communities when people put down roots. Whether it is waving to a neighbor, attending a block party, or supporting a local school, homeownership helps people feel connected. That emotional connection often leads to stronger, more resilient communities. And that is worth celebrating during National Homeownership Month.

A Place Where Life Happens
Of course, the emotional rewards go hand-in-hand with the financial benefits of building equity and long-term security. But for many buyers, it is the intangible value that makes the most lasting impact. A home is where milestones are celebrated, where holiday traditions are created, and where life happens every day.

Helping Others Find That Joy
As a mortgage originator, I am privileged to help people take that first step. I see the joy when an application is approved, the excitement when the offer is accepted, and the pride when keys are finally in hand. Each of those moments reflects the emotional core of what homeownership means.

Celebrate More Than a House
This June, during National Homeownership Month, let’s celebrate not just the homes people buy but the lives they build inside them. The value of homeownership is much more than the price tag. It is in the pride, freedom, and sense of place that owning a home brings.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Emotional Value Of Home, National Homeownership Month, Why We Own

Low Maintenance Landscaping To Improve Curb Appeal

May 22, 2020 by Kay Monigold

Low Maintenance Landscaping To Improve Curb AppealAttractive landscaping is one of the first things that potential home buyers notice. They may see the landscaping in the photos of a home for sale or may even do a physical drive-by. The view of the property from the street is called “curb appeal.” It is important to make this be as nice as possible.

In many parts of the country, there are pressures on the water supply that make having a lush-green, living lawn very costly or even prohibited by the local regulations. Innovative technology and the use of natural ground covers, such as stone and rocks are replacing the green lawns that most people think of when considering landscaping a home properly.

Here is a guide to some landscaping that is attractive and worth considering to make a home look spectacular and require little maintenance:

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf has improved dramatically over the past few years. There is no longer the need to use the obvious green plastic covering of cheap fake grass. The newest artificial turf products look so much like real grass that it is nearly impossible to tell that they are not real. They can be installed over drainage rock and washed down with water like real grass.

Decorative Concrete

Molded concrete is now available in so many surface treatments, textures, and colors that it can represent almost any popular covering. For example, a nice European-style, cobbled-stone, street look is a popular choice for driveways and walkways. It is made out of molded, colored concrete, not stone, and installs easily.

Rock And Stone

Replacing areas of grass in the front yard with decorative rock and stone makes a nice look. It is better not to use wide swathes of this ground covering in big blocks. Instead, for a better aesthetic appeal, use natural rock and stone to create unique, eye-catching areas. For example, surrounding a wishing well with a nice circular area of rock pebbles creates a nice look.

Artificial Trees And Bushes

Advancements in the manufacturing of artificial bushes and trees developed very convincing products that are durable enough for exterior installation. Some best looking ones are the evergreen bushes.

They come in perfect heights of various sizes. They never need watering or trimming to make them look attractive. The only maintenance that they need is the occasional spray washing to remove dust and things that might fall on them like leaves from neighbor?s trees.

There are many to choose from. The modest-sized bushes are very inexpensive and usually less than $50 each. At the other end of the spectrum, are the exotic 11-feet tall artificial cheery trees that have built-in LED illumination. These are very dramatic and cost many thousands.

Summary

With these interesting ideas to consider, take a look at landscaping in a new way. Even though artificial landscaping requires an upfront investment, it can last for many years and may reduce overall maintenance costs significantly. If you ever want to sell the home, there will be much less landscaping needed to get it ready for sale.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Home Improvement, Landscaping, Real Estate

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Our Team

Kay MonigoldKay Monigold
Owner/Mortgage Broker/Residential Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS#1086176

Steven LoweSteven P Lowe, Sr
Residential Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #1085638

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