My parents bought the house I grew up in when they were in their 20s. It was the 1950s, they were post-war newlyweds looking forward to starting a family, like millions of other Americans. I don’t recall whether my mom was already pregnant with my older sister when their $25,000 offer on a Dutch Colonial in Brooklyn was accepted, but they knew it would be a great house to raise kids. That four bedroom home with a finished basement and side yard for us to play in was located in walking distance to the highly-rated public schools that we attended.
Their purchase price is the equivalent of about $285,000 today – a fairly easy sum for many buyers to handle, but far below the current average $349,329 home price, not to mention New York City prices. However, that Brooklyn home last sold for $1.25 million in 2018, and is worth more now, five years later. There aren’t many 20-somethings who can afford even the down payment and closing costs on a home like that today.
What my parents’ generation knew, (like those before and afterward), is that there are many benefits to owning a home, both financial and not. That’s why I’m so passionate about young parents being able to become homeowners today too. Here’s what the experts I interviewed had to say about why, and how, to achieve this. Please pass it along to any young friends or family members who can take advantage of its resources.
Well-worn photo of my childhood home in Brooklyn, NY
(Photographer: Unknown)
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SOCIAL GOLD
Our next Clubhouse will be August 16! It’s going to look at creating healthier homes for people with allergies, digestive and skin sensitivities.
It takes place at 4 pm EST, 1 pm PST (and all the related time zones) that afternoon. Hope you’ll join us. Click the picture or the link below to connect to the conversation (using your smart phone only!).
COMING UP THIS YEAR:
- 8/16 Wellness Design and Allergies
- 9/6 Steam Showers and Saunas
- 9/20 Best New Kitchen Features
What other topics do you want to hear about in the new year? Comment below and let me know.
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PAST CLUBHOUSE RECORDINGS
Here are links to Clubhouse recordings from past sessions.
2023 Recordings:
- 8/2 Back to School Ideas — Recording Link
- 7/19 Designing for Music — Recording Link
- 7/5 Best She Shed Ideas and Trends — Recording Link
- 6/21 Best Man Cave Ideas and Trends — Recording Link
- 5/17 Designing Outdoor Kitchens and Living Spaces — Recording Link
- 5/3 Designing with Water Features (Ponds, Fountains, Water Walls, Etc.) — Recording Link
- 4/5 Top Tile Trends — Recording Link
- 3/15 Wellness Design and Dementia — Recording Link
- 3/1 Best Wellness Products from Design & Construction Week — Recording Link
- 2/15 Designing with Fire Features (Fireplaces, Fire Tables, Fire Pits, Etc.) — Recording Link
- 1/18 Healthy Home Improvements with Best ROI — Recording Link
- 1/4 Creating Home Fitness Rooms — Recording Link
2022 Recordings:
- Find these links on their new archive page!
2021 Recordings:
- Find these links on their new archive page!
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GOLD DUST
Here are a few links that could be helpful to you in living a safe, healthy, happy life at home:
- Health-related: The very young can’t handle the heat — San Diego Union-Tribune
- Maintenance-related: Things in your garage to toss immediately — Southern Living
- Plant-related: 20 Low-light houseplants you can grow practically anywhere — Bob Vila
