Own Your Own Home Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: American Financial Lifestyle
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every January 21
Holiday emoji:: 🏡

Own Your Own Home Day, observed every January 21, celebrates the profound benefits and personal achievement of homeownership. This day encourages aspiring homeowners to explore pathways to purchasing property and current owners to appreciate their investment. Learn about financial planning, mortgage options, and the joy of creating your own space.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
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Expected Own Your Own Home Day Deals

As Own Your Own Home Day approaches, expect various financial institutions and real estate professionals to offer special incentives and educational resources. Mortgage lenders like Quicken Loans and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage may host webinars on first-time homebuyer programs or offer limited-time rate consultations. Real estate agencies such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX often feature open house events and free home valuation services. Home improvement retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot might promote sales on essential tools or renovation projects. Financial advisors could provide free consultations on budgeting for a down payment. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 21 approaches.

Platform Guide for Own Your Own Home Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #OwnYourOwnHomeDay. Share photos of your favorite home features, renovation projects, or dream home vision boards.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #OwnYourOwnHomeDay. Share stories of your homeownership journey or advice for aspiring buyers.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #OwnYourOwnHomeDay. Real estate professionals can share market insights and tips for buyers.

Own Your Own Home Day Hero

Franklin D. Roosevelt

As the 32nd U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt significantly impacted homeownership through New Deal programs like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) in 1934. The FHA insured mortgages, making home loans more accessible and affordable for average Americans. His administration's efforts helped stabilize the housing market during the Great Depression and laid the groundwork for widespread homeownership in the post-war era, transforming the American landscape.

History of Own Your Own Home Day

Before antiquity — between 30,000 B.C. to 15,000 B.C. — humans lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, moving from place to place without a permanent domicile. Caves were used for temporary shelter before the food search moved them to another area. Caves such as those at Giants Castle, Yaodong in China, and Pinnacle Point are believed by scientists to have served as shelters to our early ancestors.

The Neolithic period ushered in an era where early modern humans settled down and built permanent homes and other structures. But homeownership wasn’t decided, as people had to defend what they owned from invaders frequently. It was basically the fight of the fittest. That led to the rise of tribal leaders, armies, and eventually monarchies, which served to help protect properties.

With the industrial revolution came mortgage lending by banks to the average person. However, mortgages didn’t become commonplace until the 1860s, when the National Bank Acts was enacted. That led to more people buying, selling, and owning homes.

In the 1930s, the Great Depression hit, and the housing market came crashing down, with many homeowners defaulting on mortgages. Between 1933 to 1938, the U.S. government introduced the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation, the Federal Housing Administration, and the Federal National Mortgage Association to stabilize the housing market. By 1950, more than 50% of Americans owned their homes. Over the years, this number has been growing steadily. But the downside is that with increasing demand for houses, the price for owning a home has also increased.

Own Your Own Home Day timeline

30,000 B.C. – 15,000 B.C.

The First Homes

In the Prehistoric period, early modern humans use caves as shelter.

1860s

The Rise of Mortgages

With the stabilization of the U.S. banking system, banks start giving the average person high-risk mortgages, leading to an increase in homeowners.

1944

The Impact of the GI Bill

The creation of the GI Bill helps spur the housing market and leads to building one-fifth of all single-family homes after World War II.

1950

Housing Market Boom

The boom of the 1940s to 1950s allows more than 50% of Americans to own homes.

Own Your Own Home Day FAQs

When is Own Your Own Home Day?

In 2027, Own Your Own Home Day is celebrated on Friday, January 21, providing a perfect end-of-week opportunity to reflect on property ownership.

What percentage of Americans own their home?

The homeownership rate in the U.S. typically fluctuates slightly year-to-year but generally remains above 65%, a testament to the enduring American dream of owning a home.

What are the key benefits of homeownership?

Beyond financial advantages like wealth accumulation and asset appreciation, owning a home fosters personal independence and allows for greater control over one’s environment, creating a true sense of belonging.

What is the history behind mortgages in the U.S.?

Before the mid-19th century, purchasing a home often required full cash payment. The development of the modern mortgage system, particularly with government-backed programs, significantly expanded access to homeownership for millions.

Own Your Own Home Day Activities

Buy a home
What is a better way to celebrate Own Your Own Home Day than to buy a home — that’s if you don’t have one. The first step is to check out house listings. You can do that on realtor websites or by contacting a real estate agent. Once you find the one that meets your needs, secure it with a down payment. If you don’t have the money to buy a home, you can explore the option of taking credit or saving for it.
Have a mini-thanksgiving
Like we mentioned earlier, it’s not exactly easy to own your own home. The stress, the hassle, and the cost are hardly rivaled. That is why you have to use this Own Your Own Home Day to celebrate your homeownership. Gather friends and family and have a barbecue in your own front yard or backyard.
Learn about the history of homeownership
Our history of homeownership should help you get started. You can research how we moved from living in caves to building permanent or semi-permanent domiciles. The B.B.C. podcast on the history of the home can also offer you a helping hand in your research.

5 Interesting Facts About Mortgages That Might Surprise You

Many homebuyers use mortgages to buy homes
Statistics provided by the National Association of Realtors show that 88% of homebuyers rely on a mortgage to buy their homes.
Mortgage is nearly synonymous with death
Mortgage originates from the Old French word ‘morgage’ or ‘mort gaige,’ meaning ‘dead pledge.’
A red front door implies mortgage-free
In Scotland, people paint their front door red once their mortgage is completely paid.
Most people don’t know about mortgages
A study conducted by C.N.N. Money revealed that over one-third of Americans did not know about the annual percentage rate or lending rates or fees.
The rich also have mortgages
Mark Zuckerberg currently pays 1.05% interest on his $6 million home.

Why We Love Own Your Own Home Day

Homeownership helps save money on taxes
When you own a home, you can deduct part of your expenses from owning the home from your taxes. That includes mortgage interest and interest on home-equity loans or home-equity lines of credit.
Homeownership helps you build equity
Equity is the difference between the actual value of your home and how much you still owe on your mortgage. As you pay your mortgage, your home equity increases since homes appreciate. That is in contrast with renting, where you continue paying without actually owning anything.
Homeownership helps you build a solid credit history
Having a good credit history makes lenders more willing to offer you loans for future projects or expenses. By owning a home and consistently paying the amount you owe on your mortgage, you can potentially build a solid credit history.