Woodlands Homes For Sale

The Woodlands

The Woodlands is an amazing area to begin searching for homes in. Not only will your family find the comfort and appeal of homes for sale within gated communities in the Woodlands, but they will also encounter the commercial businesses that they love, all within a close drive from the homes for sale that you are considering purchasing. Homes for sale in the Woodlands are plentiful and they come in all sizes and types. Whether you are looking for homes for sale with a nicely serviced community center, a neighborhood gated off from the business of the commercial areas or a cozy older home in an area near to the mall, homes for sale in the Woodlands, Texas are available for your viewing that will fit your preferences.

Homes For Sale

If you are just starting off and living in your home, you may not wish to look at traditional homes for sale in the Woodlands, but rather look at condos for sale. These condo properties will give you the security of owning your own home, while still not assuming the full responsibilities that accompany home ownership. No one who is just now budding in their career prospects is really interested in dealing with the upkeep that accompanies the ownership of a full sized home. An apartment in the Woodlands would offer you a close drive to many stores, restaurants and most likely your job. Living in the Woodlands is fantastic for the career builder on the go. No matter how late, you can always find a store or restaurant that can cater to your needs. It is tough starting out on your own and trying to make a name for yourself in a new area. Look at properties in the Woodlands so that you can benefit from the immense commercial resources the area has to offer.

Gated Communities in The Woodlands

Gated communities are all the rage with families with small children. Parents adore the idea of allowing their children to freely ride their bikes through the neighborhood without having to worry about safety. Many homes for sale in the Woodlands are in gated communities that can provide this sense of security. If you are looking at homes for sale and are really leaning towards a gated community, be sure to share this bit of information with your realtor, so that he or she can concentrate on showing you listings in gated neighborhoods. Often, gated neighborhoods have fantastic community centers with well-kept community pools and gyms. These resources are fantastic for the growing family and can encourage physical activity, even with younger members of the family.

The Woodlands Neighborhoods

The Woodlands, though young and in its prime as a community, has plenty of older more established neighborhoods for the buyer who is looking for less expensive homes for sale in the desirable area. These neighborhoods will give you all of the conveniences that accompany life in the Woodlands, while allowing you to pay less for your real estate property. Be sure to speak with your real estate agent about your preferred prince range before you go on a search for homes for sale. Then, your agent can advise you as to which neighborhoods best fit your economic standing.

Woodlands Homes For Sale

Homes for sale in the Woodlands are of abundance and are diverse in their property types. Whether you are looking at homes, condos, a home in a gated community, or a home at a lower price level still in the area, there are homes for sale in the Woodlands that will match with your interests. Give your realtor a call today and begin discussing all of the homes for sale in the Woodlands.

The Woodlands Texas Real Estate Homes

Real Estate Homes

The Woodlands, Texas real estate homes provide homebuyers with options and amenities that they cannot receive in other, less developed communities. The Woodlands, Texas offers great commercial conveniences that not many other regions can provide to prospective purchasers. At the same time, the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes can give buyers the safe local communities that they so fervently desire. All the while, listings in the Woodlands, Texas offer a diverse number of housing options that can fit within any budget. So, no matter your specific home interests, the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes can provide you with the answer to your prayers: a safe community with a plethora of amenities not offered in more rural settings. Speak with your realtor today about the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes and see the area that you could be so privileged to call home for yourself.

Shopping in The Woodlands, Texas

The Woodlands, Texas offers real estate homes with a bustling shopping area with tons of eateries to choose from. The options are endless as to the stores that you will find and the various types of cuisine in which you can indulge. For the family on the go, the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes are the perfect choice. No matter what your specific shopping needs are, they will be within a short drive from your residence. You forgot a key ingredient for tonight’s home cooked meal? Not a problem, grocery stores are plentiful in number in the Woodlands. You need to pick up some poster board for Sally’s school project for Veteran’s Day? Scurry on over to the local drug store or supermarket, you will surely find what you are looking for, without having to drive far. The Woodlands, Texas real estate homes are conveniently located in the middle of the hustle and bustle. You will never find yourself inconvenienced by a commute to the grocery store again.

The Woodlands, Texas Conveniences

While being surrounded by conveniences, the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes are nestled in small secure communities that you will feel safe allowing your kids to roam in. Worrying about whether Jim made it to the park safely on his bicycle is something that no parent should be burdened with. The Woodlands, Texas real estate homes are stationed in many secure neighborhoods that you will be pleased to call your home.

Beauties of the Woodlands, Texas

One of the beauties of the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes is that they are available in various different price ranges, so anyone can find the perfect fit for their budget. If you are looking for an older home with a lesser price tag, let your real estate agent know that you are interested in the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes located in the established neighborhoods that have long stood in the beautiful area. If you are looking for real estate homes with a more modern flare, request to see the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes in a newer neighborhood, or perhaps a new building site. No matter what your preference is on price or age, the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes will fulfill your criteria.

The Woodlands Texas Real Estate Homes

The Woodlands, Texas real estate homes offer buyers the best of both worlds: a comfortable and safe environment at a close vicinity to all of the stores and restaurants that you want to keep near. Speak with your realtor today about the Woodlands, Texas real estate homes and see the many options that can be purchased at a price that you are comfortable with.

The Woodlands Texas Real Estate

Real Estate Agents

The real estate industry in The Woodlands can be mind boggling for your average homebuyer as they attempt to make the single largest investment of their lives. For this reason, it is important that homebuyers consult a real estate agent in order to ensure their real estate search experience in goes as smoothly as they would wish. However, one thing is simple for many Houstonians, they know that they wish to live in the classy and bustling Woodlands, Texas. Many things about the Woodlands mesmerize homebuyers and leave them itching to purchase real estate in the area. People love the convenience that the businesses of the Woodlands provide, the coziness and security of the newly developing subdivisions and the quality of Woodlands schools.

Amazing Place

The Woodlands is an amazing place to invest, whether you are looking for residential or commercial real estate. Businesses are pleased to serve the large population of the Woodlands, as well as surrounding communities, and residents are more than pleased to be only a short drive away from almost any product or service that they could desire. The Woodlands offers real estate close enough to many stores and businesses that simply are not within the reach of homeowners in other areas. Some people have to drive an hour or more to pick up the items that they need on a weekly basis. Woodlands real estate owners do not have this problem. One short car ride can take you from any Woodlands real estate property to almost any store that you could dream of. Homebuyers looking for convenient shopping need look no further than real estate in the Woodlands.

Real Estate

While there is a large number of businesses that make life in the Woodlands convenient and easy, new neighborhoods in the Woodlands provide real estate the gives the homebuyer the security that they desire as well. Want to be able to sleep easy at night, knowing that your family is safe and sound inside your real estate property? Consider a gated community in the Woodlands area. For those homebuyers concerned with the surroundings of their neighborhood, a gated community is a perfect fit. If safety is one of your top concerns when it comes to the real estate market, be sure to let your realtor show you homes in gated communities in the Woodlands. Real estate in the Woodlands is uniquely connected to businesses and protected from crime.

Schools

Schools in the Woodlands school district are also a large draw to the real estate market in the area. Parents want their children attending schools that are in a safe and respectable school district and schools in the Woodlands provide exactly this. Mommy and Daddy can drop Bobby off in the Woodlands district without a single worry. Do not let school districting distract and confuse you as you navigate the real estate market. Come and look at real estate in the Woodlands and you can rest assured that any home you tour will land your favorite student at a school that will gently culture him or her into the young adult.

The Woodlands Texas Real Estate

Buying a new home is stressful and real estate that fits all of a homebuyer’s criteria can sometimes stump a realtor. Simply tell your realtor that you are interested at looking at real estate in the Woodlands and you cannot go wrong. You will find a home that has easy access to the businesses, restaurants and stores that you and your family love. You will find homes in safe gated communities that you will have no fear of allowing your children to ride their bikes to the park in. You will find schools that fit the needs of your student and leave you feeling safe about their safety. You will fall in love with the Woodlands real estate.

The Woodlands Realtor

Job of a Realtor

The job of a realtor in The Woodlands is multifaceted and is strongly intertwined with the emotions of the other complex actors in the real estate business. Buyers and sellers have various and sometimes incompatible interests that require a realtor. Realtors in The Woodlands have to work to make these interests meet in common ground, allowing the sale to occur. Sometimes, this is not easy. On occasion, a realtor in The Woodlands must look to the buyer to reconsider a home that is closer to their price range when a seller of a different home refuses to budge on their price. Other times, a realtor in The Woodlands will have to ask a seller to concede in the closing costs to a buyer’s desire in order to score the deal that both parties really desire. Also, it is possible that the seller in The Woodlands simply does not want to reveal issues with the home’s maintenance that the realtor feels should be carefully explained to the buyers. No matter what the intergroup issue, a realtor must work to assure that both the buyers and sellers in a particular real estate transaction leave the bargaining table content with the deal that they have just signed off on.

Real Estate Buyers

In the case that a buyer in The Woodlands has eyes much larger than their wallet, the realtor may find it necessary to show that buyer something in the price range that they are more comfortable with. In this situation, the seller of the home that the buyer originally wanted may have refused to negotiate on the price of the home. When this occurs the deal is put at a stand still and some buyers may not be able to see past this without a realtor. It is a job of the realtor to show the buyer something that they can feel comfortable purchasing in their true price range. No realtor wants to place a buyer in a situation in which they are buying a home that they cannot really afford. The goal of the realtor will be to find a home that encompasses every desire of the buyer, without breaking the buyer’s bank. This takes the extreme skill of a realtor to negotiate both with the sellers, to bring their prices down, and with the buyers, to look at homes that they may not have been immediately attracted to.

Closing Costs

When closing costs are discussed with a realtor in a real estate transaction, it can be tricky business. The seller wants to get out of the deal with as little concession as possible, while the buyer wants to protect themselves from immediate costs on their newly purchased home. In this situation, it is the job of the realtor to play ambassador between the two parties and find a happy median, leaving the buyer compensated for future expenses and the seller happy with the amount of compensation agreed on. It takes a realtor in The Woodlands with a lot of negotiation skill to make a deal like this work with both parties leaving happy with the final deal. A realtor spends a lot of time honing in on their negotiation skills and really working towards perfecting their methods of nailing down those closing costs.

Real Estate Sellers

There are also occasions in which a seller in The Woodlands is withholding information pertinent to the wellbeing of the buyer. In this case, a realtor who has become aware of the situation will zone in on the seller. It is absolutely essential that the home buying process is a transparent one. Hidden costs and fees are not only unprofessional but also dishonest. It is always best to have an experienced realtor on your side, as the buyer. Then, you will have an expert overseeing the home hunting process who knows where to look for sketchy dealings. A realtor must be very careful in handling this situation as to find clarity for the buyer while still maintaining the reputation and good face of the seller. This, as you would expect, requires a high level of people skills.

The Woodlands Realtor

The job of a realtor in The Woodlands is complicated. Overseeing all correspondence between the buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction can be tough. It is the job of the realtor to really specialize in the common issues that they see daily, learning how to cope with each issue and resolve it quickly.

Real Estate Spring Montgomery County Texas

Real Estate in Montgomery County

Real estate properties in Spring, Texas, a small area in Montgomery county, are extremely desirable for their great neighborhoods, respectable schools and their vicinity to local conveniences. No matter whether you are in search of an older or newer real estate property, Spring Texas and Montgomery County have the real estate options that you are looking for. The school districts in the Montgomery County are revered for their excellence in teaching and their outstanding test scores. Local shopping options are of plenty in most areas of Montgomery County and people who purchase real estate in the area are pleased with the stores that are only a short distance away from their homes. Montgomery County, and Spring, Texas in particular, is a fantastic place to begin your search for real estate properties. If you are in the market for a real estate property in this area, be sure to contact a local Montgomery County real estate agent so that you can more efficiently navigate the neighborhoods of Spring, Texas.

Real Estate in Spring Texas

Whether you are in the market for an older home in a notable neighborhood or a brand new real estate property in a recently erected community, Spring Texas and Montgomery County are a great place to begin your real estate search. Prestigious neighborhoods such as Champion Forest can give the prospective real estate buyer a feeling of nostalgia that they so desperately desire. While there are newer sections to this massive neighborhood, Champion Forest offers a variety of homes built in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Other neighborhoods in the Montgomery County, Spring, Texas area can give the buyer that fresh off the press look that they see in home style magazines. Want that new fresh and youthful look? Look no further than the Vintage Lakes, a gated community with gorgeous new real estate properties that will leave you drooling. Anything you can imagine: granite countertops, French doors, custom cabinetry, the builders in the Vintage Lakes community can provide you with in your custom built home. Homes, both new and old, are of plenty in Montgomery County, Spring, Texas. Give your realtor a call today to discuss the infinite real estate opportunities that this area has to offer.

Spring Texas Schools

The schools in the Spring area are also something to brag about. Constantly reviewed for excellence, Texas schools in general are outstanding. However, the schools in Montgomery County, Spring, Texas truly do focus in on the success of their student body. Safety for students is an absolute priority, and the school districts in this area spare no expense to ensure that their students are safe in their learning environment. The school district in which you purchase a real estate property is an extremely important factor in the house hunting process, especially for those families planning to expand in the near future.

Surrounding Montgomery County and Spring Texas

Surrounding the Montgomery County, Spring, Texas area is a plethora of shopping and dining options within a comfortable driving distance. This can be an outstanding resource for those families who sometimes need to make last minute trips to the store before a dinner at home, or close access to a restaurant for those nights on which you simply do not have the time to cook. No matter what your shopping or dining needs are, rest assured that a real estate property in the Spring Texas area can provide you with the means to meet them.

Real Estate Spring Montgomery County Texas

Shopping for real estate property in the Montgomery County, Spring, Texas area can be overwhelming because of the immense amount of neighborhoods that meet your structural, educational and recreational stipulations. Get in touch with your real estate agent immediately so that you can begin your search for real estate property in a truly fantastic area.

Real Estate Outlook: Existing-Home Sales Rise Again

Real Estate Outlook: Existing-Home Sales Rise Again

The National
Association of Realtors latest existing-home sales survey shows that sales are
on the rise again. This is the third straight month of increases as well the
rate rising above year ago levels. December saw a 5.0 percent rise and is now
3.6 percent above December 2010. The entire of year of 2011 experienced an
overall 1.7 percent rise in existing-home sales over 2010.

Lawrence Yun, NAR
chief economist, said these are early signs of what may be a sustained
recovery. "The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a
market in recovery," he said. "Record low mortgage interest rates,
job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence
they need to enter the market."

Regional increases
were seen across the board, but had the largest increase in the Northeast which
rose by 10.7 percent for the month of December. Next in line was the Midwest,
rising 8.3 percent. The South and west followed suite, rising 2.9 and 2.6
percent respectively.

This rise in
existing-home sales has led to a dip in available inventory, which is welcome
news for many sellers who are facing steep competition. NAR reports
"available inventory has trended down since setting a record of 4.04
million in July 2007, and is at the lowest level since March 2005 when there
were 2.30 million homes on the market."

Total housing
inventory fell a staggering 9.2 percent in December to 2.38 million homes for
sale. "The inventory supply suggests many markets will see prices
stabilize or grow moderately in the near future," Yun said.

NAR President Moe
Viessi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami, said more
buyers are expected to take advantage of market conditions this year. "The
American dream of homeownership is alive and well. We have a large pent-up demand,
and household formation is likely to return to normal as the job market
steadily improves," he said. "More buyers coming into the market mean
additional benefits for the overall economy. When people buy homes, they
stimulate a lot of related goods and services."

Partially to blame
for pent up demand has been the large amount of contract failures. The NAR says
failures were reported by 33 percent of NAR members in December, unchanged from
November; they were 9 percent in December 2010.

Declined mortgages
and depressed home values leading to loan values under appraised values are
heavily at fault. A recent Government Accountability Office (GOA) found that
the appraisal process needs more monitoring procedures.

A recent NAHB
survey shows that one out three builders have lost signed sales contracts
because of flawed appraisals.

NAHB
Chairman Bob Nielsen says, "The current system is not working." He
called for resolution of a flawed appraisal process. He says the current system
"fosters price instability, puts more families in danger of default or
foreclosure, and undermines the housing and economic rec

Remodeling Improvements That Entice Buyers

by Phoebe Chongchua

Over the last few years, some homeowners have opted to stay put for the time being and that’s caused them to consider remodeling instead of moving. But most homeowners know that one day they might need or want to sell their home so which remodels help to add value and entice buyers?

There are a few areas that are better than others to improve. It’s pretty easy to understand why these home remodels are enticing buyers when you consider the way the housing market has been for the past several years.

Here are a few of the renovations that are adding value to homes and creating appeal from home buyers.

Aging in Place

With the tough economic times, more short sales and foreclosures, extended families are combining homes and reducing their cost of living by residing together in one larger house. The National Association of Home Builders found that 62 percent of builders in a survey were working on home projects that were helping families “age in place”. Included in these types of remodels are placing a bedroom on the entry-level of a home, wider doorways that would accommodate a wheelchair, and overall modifications for the elderly including reducing steps outside and inside.

At one time, these designs might have been unattractive but with many Americans wanting to “age in place” and extended families living together, remodels like these are becoming common, necessary, and valued.

Savvy Kitchen

The great rooms that bring the kitchen and the eating areas together are still popular. More space is preferred so families can have room to sit and spend time together over a meal even if that means having less space to actually prepare the food. Cabinets and shelving are being customized to suit the homeowners’ needs and many are favoring pantries or utility rooms. Kitchens are taking on the look of a chef’s cooking space with open shelving and islands to help homeowners be able to quickly prepare meals and still mingle with guests and family.

Totally Wired

Fast-placed, busy buyers who often work from home will find smart homes that are wired and built to handle all the high-technology needs a huge plus when it comes time to market and sell their homes. Another plus is having space-saving workstations in the home. Remodeled homes that feature floor-to-ceiling bookcases and wiring for home offices are increasingly becoming the norm in many homes.

Outdoor Living

This continues to be a popular trend to bring the outside in. Making the most of living spaces, even those in the garage and outside, is a huge benefit. Homeowners are capitalizing on all possible livable space by creating outdoor living rooms complete with wiring for entertainment, cooking, and relaxing. Outdoor furniture is also being featured inside as well as outside the home, blending the line between the two.

According to the Census Bureau, 2011 home starts were bigger and featured more amenities than in the previous year. It seems houses are growing again. The average new-home’s square footage is was 2,522 in 2011, up from 2,381 square feet.

Not all remodels add value to the home. The balance of achieving what you like in a home and which improvements can potentially increase the sale of your home, can allow you to make smart home improvement choices.

Published: February 24, 2012

Real Estate In Spring Texas

Beginning Your Real Estate Search

If you are beginning your real estate search, be sure to consider real estate properties in Spring, Texas. Spring Texas is an area filled with great commercial businesses that provide daily conveniences to its residents. Also, Spring Texas real estate tends to ensure good school districts and campuses for your children. For those prospective homebuyers who are looking for an area with both businesses available and schools that have outstanding records of excellence, real estate in Spring Texas should be of particular interest to you. Call a Spring Texas real estate agent today and talk about the many properties in Spring that are for sale at this time. Owning real estate in Spring Texas will save the gas that you expend driving to the store each week and provide your children with the chance to excel in a school district that has an amazing reputation. Your gas bill and your students will thank you.

Spring Real Estate

Think of that moment when, while you are attempting to whip dinner together and get it out on the table in a timely fashion, you realize that you have forgotten to purchase a key ingredient. Real estate in an area without many stores in the surrounding area, this can be an extremely unfortunate occurrence, if you do not have the time to drive all the way out to the grocery store. If you were a real estate owner in Spring Texas, you would have two options of how to solve this issue. You could drive the very short distance to any of the local Spring Texas stores and pick up the ingredient that you are missing, or you could load up the family in the car and drive them the also very short distance to a local restaurant. No matter which option you take, your family will either be thrilled to eat your culinary masterpiece or overjoyed to take an impromptu trip to one of the fantastic restaurants that surround the real estate properties in Spring. These conveniences are a key reason for you to consider purchasing real estate in Spring. It is terribly sad for those who own real estate in remote areas who cannot quickly correct a situation such as the one above. Well-connected and populated suburban areas like Spring Texas can give you real estate in the quiet of the suburbs as well as the conveniences of business.

Spring Texas Schools

The school systems in the Spring area are definitely among the top reasons to begin looking at purchasing real estate in the Spring area. Everyone wants the very best for their children and, more often than not, that “very best” includes real estate that offers a fantastic education. Where children begin their education is important to where they will finish their education when looking at real estate. Without the programs and resources of a respectable school district, students can get lost in the cracks and fall behind academically. Purchasing real estate in the Spring area is a solid move on behalf of your favorite student’s educational future. In Spring, the school districts are constantly being assessed and are constantly being praised for their excellence. Programs to increase the rigor of the school experience are available for those exceptional students and assistance programs are available for those students who are having a bit of trouble keeping up with the normal curriculum. Whether your student is a brainiac or is falling a little behind the rest of his class, schools in the Spring districts have extra resources to offer them.

Real Estate In Spring Texas

Purchasing real estate in the Spring Texas area can be fantastic for both saving you time and improving your children’s education. Everyone wants to simplify their lives. Why not simply move to an area that does that for you? In Spring, as a real estate owner, you will have quick access to all the things that you need and also an awesome public school system in which you can enroll your children.

Real Estate The Woodlands Texas

The Woodlands Texas Real Estate Market

When navigating the real estate market in the Woodlands, Texas, homeowners can be puzzled by the bustling business and large number of real estate properties for sale in The Woodlands Texas. For this reason, any real estate specialist will suggest that a homebuyer immediately consult a real estate agency in The Woodlands Texas for consultation previous to the beginning of their property search. While pictures on real estate websites are helpful for beginning a home search, a real estate agent in The Woodlands Texas is necessary for a serious and thorough real estate shopping experience. Unfortunately, shopping for a new home is not as easy as going to the department store and picking out something you like in the correct size. The real estate market is a complex business sector that homebuyers need assistance understanding. In order to conduct a thorough search, not be deceived by web profiles and rest assured that you got the best deal on your real estate property, you need to consult a real estate agent before beginning your quest to find the home for you and your family.

What Homebuyers Are Looking For

Sometimes, homebuyers in The Woodlands Texas are unsure of exactly what kind of real estate property they are looking for. In this scenario, it is especially necessary that a real estate agent be guiding them through the home buying process. Maybe a couple thinks that they would really like an older home with a historic history, but they have never actually toured a home of that age before. A real estate agent would be able to show the couple the home and assure that they did not only see its beauty, but also knew of the financial risks that accompany the purchase of an older historic home. Also, sometimes there are listings that homebuyers would not have ever known about if it were not for their real estate agent. When making such a large investment, homebuyers want to know that they have considered all of the options possible. The only way to know that you have truly explored every option is to have an expert suggest homes that you may not have considered touring, but that fit perfectly with your home wish list.

Internet Photos

Looking at photos on the Internet of homes in The Woodlands Texas can be extremely misleading. Homebuyers need to physically tour the home before making such a large financial commitment, and a real estate agent is the perfect tour guide for any home. Do not let a set of flattering pictures of a home trick you into purchasing a home that will become a money pit for repairs. A real estate agent can take you through the home and give you honest opinions based on his or her expertise on real estate properties. It is always best to have an expert on your side to give you advice when you are unsure about an aspect of a home. This is where a real estate agent can be an invaluable resource.

Negotiating the Price

When negotiating the price on a home in The Woodlands Texas, it is also important that you have a real estate agent at your side. No one wants to regret the deal that they made for their real estate property. Real estate agents can help to assure you that you are receiving a deal that is reasonable for the home that you are purchasing in the exact condition that it is in. Real estate agents deal with offers and counter-offers on a daily basis, it is their job. Do not attempt to play a game in which you are unaware of the unwritten rules. Bring in a veteran player and let them consult you as to what the best deal for you will be. You will not regret it.

Buying a Home in The Woodlands Texas

Buying a home is an extremely puzzling experience for any homebuyer. Do not make the process any harder on yourself by going into your search without a real estate agent. While house hunting, it is essential that you have a real estate agent from The Woodlands, Texas in your corner.

Are Homeowners Glad They Own?

It might come as a surprise but a whopping 72 percent of surveyed homeowners nationwide are satisfied with owning a home. The other 28 percent, not so. They say they're dissatisfied and that's likely due to the devaluation of their homes.

But surprisingly, of those who were satisfied with owning a home, only 24 percent said it was because of home appreciation. The majority, 76 percent, had many other reasons they were happy to own their own home including the one that proves the American Dream is alive and well: pride of homeownership. Following closely behind were the freedom to control their home improvements and upgrades. All this according to HomeGain's 2012 National Home Ownership Satisfaction Survey.

Of those who were unsatisfied with owning their home, 63 percent blamed depreciation as the root of their dissatisfaction. However, the cost of owning a home, such as paying for property taxes, homeowner's association fees, upkeep, and routine repairs, also sucked the joy out of homeownership and led this group of 37 percent to be unhappy about homeownership.

On the bright side, most - three out of four - are very happy with homeownership even in spite of such rocky real estate times where declines in home values have crippled some homeowners severely.

The survey polled homeowners all across the country. So you might be wondering is there a connection between where you live and how satisfied you are with owning a home?

The highest percentage of satisfied homeowners comes from the Northeast where there is 77-percent satisfaction, according to HomeGain. Pulling in at a close second is the Southeast at 73 percent satisfaction. The West and Midwest were at 71 percent and 68 percent, respectively.

Those who purchased their homes within a timeframe of the past three to eight years were the least satisfied. If they bought more than eight years ago, they tended to be more satisfied.

The higher-end market was the least satisfied with owning a home, especially if they paid more than $800,000 for it. This group's dissatisfaction rate was 69 percent. But those who purchased homes for under $75,000 are cheering. This group's satisfaction rate was 77 percent.

Of course, a lot of homes are sold through foreclosure and short sale, which, depending on the side of the sale you're on, can leave you satisfied or very dissatisfied. Those purchasing a foreclosed or short sale had the highest satisfaction ratings; 79 percent and 83 percent, respectively.

New and existing homes didn't fare so well with homeowners. They were fairly dissatisfied and showed it in a 73 percent and 71 percent rating, respectively. Most seemed to have expected an increase in the value of their home and when depreciation hit, this highly disappointed them, making this the primary reason for their dissatisfaction.

An interesting statistic may reflect the need for freedom from being tied down to a home and its maintenance as well as other costs. Homeowners ranging from 18 to 25 were the least satisfied (45 percent) with owning.

On the other end of the spectrum, those homeowners between 55 to 65, were the most satisfied with their homeownership. This group's satisfaction rating was 76 percent.

HomeGain collected some comments from some of the surveyed homeowners. Here's how one satisfied homeowner summarizes homeownership, "Just knowing I own it. I rented a house two times after owning a home for 16 years, and I do NOT like relying on, and dealing with, a landlord! I also feel pride in owning my home. I just bought a house 8 months ago and am very happy!"

Published: January 27, 2012

by Phoebe Chongchua