It is as if millions of Americans woke up one morning and discovered they were living in a significantly different home. They found that it was much more valuable−but not just in dollar terms.

Certainly, homes have been great stores of wealth for a many years. They have also been the heart of many people's net worth, the surest course to wealth-building. And they've provided relatively easy ways to get money quickly and inexpensively for educational opportunities, unforeseen medical problems, creation and expansion of businesses, and consolidation and reduction of other debts.

They have also become, more than ever, the center of our lives−as families, as social friends, as extended communities. We entertain in our homes. We enjoy one another, grow and mature in our homes. We find sanctuary in our homes. We enjoy our hobbies and other pleasures, from reading to watching movies to listening to music, in our homes. We sleep here, eat here, rest here, recuperate here, and find much of the meaning of our lives here.

There is obviously no price tag that can be put on all of that. All of the financial benefits from owning our homes seem nearly to become fringe benefits−albeit huge ones−in this light. No wonder we think of homeownership as the American Dream! For answers to your questions call Beth at (425) 450-5208 and visit her website at www.bethbillington.com.

Beth Billington is a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Bain in Bellevue, WA.