Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Homeownership has long been lauded as an important factor in the success of children in school and subsequently in their careers. Much research and many studies have been completed with analysis on the beneficial impacts of homeownership on children. This fact has long been used by the real estate and lending industries to encourage homeownership. I think that the most important factor contributing to the statistical confirmation of greater academic success for children of homeowners versus those of renters…is the improved stability in their family life that homeownership typically affords them.

People who own their homes do not move as often as those who rent. Children of homeowners are able to establish friendships for longer periods of time, going to school together and sharing other community activities that create bonds that sometimes last a lifetime.  This is not to say that children of renters do not do the same thing. It just means that children of homeowners are provided a more stable environment in which to nurture those relationships for longer periods of time. The stability that is provided to children enables them to perform better in school, and it is also impacted by the increased participation in community activities by the homeowners and their families. They become more vested in the community, and the parents are typically more watchful of the participation by their children in healthy activities. Homeowners usually buy in neighborhoods that already have a high rate of homeownership, and therefore the effects of individual homeowners cumulatively have a multiplier effect.

Many of the characteristics exemplified in the actions taken by homeowners, such as the investment of time and money into the improvement of their homes, is a positive modeling of behaviors that are beneficial to the community at large, and to homeowners’ children specifically.  These behaviors are seen and many times adopted by the children involved in these types of activities. Homeowners typically perform these activities more frequently than renters.  These social behaviors that are beneficial to the community are passed on to or learned by the children, and therefore we all benefit.

This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181 since 1976. He can be reached via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com.  Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.