The "American Dream" has never been clearly defined by the cheerleaders of our seemingly faultering industry as to whether or not that dream would become a good dream or a nightmare until now, and, indeed, the 
American Dream is now the "American Nightmare" for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of homeowners in our nation. I deplore the use of the term "American Dream" when referring to homeownership because it attempts to delineate or mask unfairly the lines of qualification needed to benefit, and places it in the perspective of the surreal or unrealistic, and is further characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtapositions. I encourage all realtors and industry professionals to stop using that term when addressing homeownership.
Nearly all homes are financed and owned by some lending institution until they're paid off. Therefore, homeowners have a reason to believe that complete ownership of their home is only a dream. Especially when they have a thirty year loan. They live with the feeling that their home will never be paid off, and it's this psychology that bullies the sad homeowner into a series of mental images and emotions, imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake, that usually occur only during sleep. They're confronted with a fantastic and vain hope and seek a state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality.
Always believe in an equal playing field and be fair. Separate desire from the unreasonable prospect of satisfying delusive, false hopes.
I like to say that, "A Home Is Real Space for Life's Essentials, Expanse in Which Everything is Located".
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Today, the dream isn't about owning the home; the dream is about not being kicked out of it by the bank, the trustee or the judge.
I own my home, by the way, and killed the mortgage years ago, and ended the nightmare.
To the contrary, the threat of doom ended and life began. So did the gloom or atmosphere of any pending, lingering threat of depression or melancholy.
I was able to separate fantasy from reality and dance the night away under a roof that belongs to me and not the bank. I've never been a slave to any lending institution, but I have great hope and feel sorry for anyone that is or about to become one.
....addenda - "cliche'"
Love the blog. Really gives all something to think about. I will ponder this more and comment again soon.
Everyone in the real estate business should ponder it, Brenda. Nice to hear from you. Hope you have a fine weekend.
I can say i could ponder this one also, what a picture off a dump, thanks patt judd Cookeville
Thanks for your input, Pat. Nice to hear from you and hopes for a fine week ahead for you. The phrase sucks and is a lie.
David, Even when the home is paid off, the government can take it away. My parents sacrificied and paid off their mortgage, but at the ages of 90 and 96 they can no longer take care of themselves and are in a nursing home. Since they are on Medicaid, everything went to the government. My mom still keeps a photo of the family home on her dresser next to the bed. They share a room in the nursing home together and we reminisce about how proud they were to buy the home for $9,000 in 1955 and all the things my dad did to improve it. At the end, home is family, and my parents have their own little home in their room and as their only child, I visit them every other day and we play dominoes and reminisce, often about the family home. BTW, my 90 y.o. dad is also on YouTube playing a grand piano at the nursing home. He plays by ear and never had a lesson. He sometimes plays for the other residents when the volunteer musicians fail to show up.
I have learned to define my dreams not by material possession. What makes a house a home is the memories, not 4 walls with a door and windows. My home wouldn't mean a thing to me had we not spent countless Christmasses in it, had we not had pool parties, had we not......this, that, and the other thing. Nobody can take that away from me. Not the government, not the lender. It's mine, mine, mine - forever, to have and to hold.
Hi,
For me "American Dreaming" and home ownership means a lot because I am a immigrant. I have never ever dreamed one day I do have my home in US and I am a landlord also. Home is a shelter for us. Owning our own home make me feel more grounded. Yes! I can nail my painting on the wall all day long and don't have to worry my landlord will deduct my deposit. I can plant my tomatoes in my backyard and I took care of problems also. It's not a big deal but when someday I will be 90 like Gail's parent then I cannot take care of the home may have to live in a small room. Life is a cycle! Don't take too serious about it. When you can take care (pay for your mortage & tax) you can keep your home. When you cannot do so just cough it out!
Grace K. Northern Calif realtor, www.gracekeng.com
David
The cliche' has been over used for certain. And though we are living in uncertain times, and many people are suffering- just as they did in 1929-this too shall pass. Too late perhaps for some, but Americans are a resilient bunch, and given enough time, families will eventually emerge like a phoenix from the ashes.
It says in the Bible, Proverbs 20:29, Gail, that the splendor of an old man is his gray hair. I'm sure that the greatest feeling your father has in his heart is his love, and pride, of his beautiful wife and daughter, always near to him and by his side, which is his greatest gift on earth under heaven. A fine home is a family waiting room for something better from God.
I like that impassioned sentimentality, Darrin & Andrea. Nice toi hear from you.
Okeedokeee, Grace. Nice to hear from you.
I'm honored that you would share my feelings about it, Allison. Sadly, too many have sunk like the Titanic, and are continuing to be torpedoed by unscrupulous mercantilism. It's always a privilege to hear from you.