Different Values

During my annual trip back to Michigan my Sister and I were visiting as we often do. During the course of the conversation she made the statement that my Father never wanted to own a home. He did not want to be bothered with taxes and insurance. I do not know about the responsibility of owning a home for the places we rented he shoveled snow, mowed grass and hung storm windows. I don't know what factors would have lead him to not wanting to own a home.

As a result he never did own a home. It is interesting that he had those values. He became a banker. He eventually left banking and owned his own business in Insurance and Real Estate. I cannot imagine he wasn't exposed to the idea that you built wealth through the acquisition of property. I do not know when you could deduct mortgage interest or taxes from your income tax bill. However, Dad predated income tax, so perhaps there was not the same advantage to owning property as there is now.

I think in later years he wished he had owned a home. I think he regretted having to downsize in living as he began to lose his business. I know that when I was first cognizant of living in a dwelling we lived at 812 W. Superior St. Munising, MI and it was a home. Then we moved to an upstairs apartment which had two small bedrooms, a kitchen, bath and living room. Then we moved in my senior year to a smaller upstairs apartment where we had one bedroom, a large closet served as my bedroom, and a kitchen, dining area, and living room. The bath was shared with the renter's son.

So where did those values come from, not wanting to buy or own a home? I don't know, but my Dad possessed those values and I don't.