Florida Realtors® Celebrates June As National Homeownership Month

ORLANDO, Fla., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Opening the doors to homeownership is a top priority for Florida Realtors®. Across the state and throughout the U.S., Realtors continue to promote housing opportunities and the removal of barriers to homeownership in recognition of June as National Homeownership Month.

"As Realtors®, we work every day to help people realize the American Dream of owning their own home," says 2017 Florida Realtors® President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. "Opening the door to homeownership helps families find security and stability. While buying a home is usually the biggest financial investment someone may make in their lifetime, it also offers a sense of place and community. Our homes hold our hopes, our memories and our dreams for the future."

Continuing a long tradition, President Donald Trump has declared June as National Homeownership Month and pledged his support for increasing the U.S. homeownership rate. According to the declaration: "For generations of Americans, owning a home has been an essential element in achieving the American Dream. Homeownership is often the foundation of security and prosperity for families and communities and an enduring symbol of American freedom. This month, we recommit to ensuring that hard-working Americans enjoy a fair chance at becoming homeowners."

Recognizing June as National Homeownership Month encourages all in the real estate and housing industries to promote homeownership as source of economic strength and to increase the ranks of homeowners, especially among minorities. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, the homeownership rate in Florida for first quarter 2017 was 64.6 percent; the U.S. homeownership rate was 63.6 percent for the same period.

Wells adds that homeownership serves as a solid foundation for communities, instilling pride and a sense of belonging among individuals. Research supports Realtors' belief that homeownership provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits to the community, the economy and the individual homeowner. For instance, studies have found that homeowners volunteer for political and charitable causes more frequently than renters do. Also, children whose parents own their own home tend to do better in school and to be better behaved; the greater stability of homeownership also has been found to be good for child development and for better health outcomes.

Recognition of homeownership began as a week-long celebration in 1995, and was later proclaimed to last the entire month of June in 2002 under former President George W. Bush.

Florida Realtors ® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its more than 165,000 members in 55 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors

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