The following is from The Patterson Schwartz General Manager, Joe Pluscht

The other day I came across the results of a 2010 Fannie Mae National Housing Survey summarizing how people feel about the current real estate market. While there were many interesting observations, none hit me more powerfully than the question about what a buyer thinks are the major reasons to purchase a home.

The single most important reason people gave was that it was a good place to raise children (80%). Reason two was that a home was a place their family could feel safe (79%), and reason three was that they could have control of their personal space (71%).

Over the past several years, it seemed that a house was something that many saw as a commodity; something that was expected to create instant wealth. Some even saw it as an ATM machine where they could withdraw large sums of money every year. But these survey findings reinforce that we, as a society, are getting back to understanding the true significance of a house…we realize, once again, that the highest value of a house is as a home.

As summer begins and quality time with family, friends and neighbors kicks into high gear, take a moment to enjoy watching the kids play basketball in the backyard or laughing with everyone as stories are shared while sitting on the deck after dinner.

Simply enjoy your house as a home — because your home is where a lifetime of memories are created!

Joe