Owning a home is an exciting step for an individual or a family to make. At times, though, we take the step without going beyond the shopping and buying process. For this reason, when we move in, reality sets in and our expectations are dashed. We have not factored in the cost of setting up a home, of maintaining it, of setting priorities so that we do not become overwhelmed. Here is a link that may help provide an overview: What Are the True Costs of Owning a Home? (2026). Our company or site is in no way affiliated with the link’s publisher and do not necessarily agree or endorse its message. However, it’s provided for you as a starting point. 

     Many of you might remember the proverb popularized by Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  With respect to owning a home, one should not become afraid of the responsibility that comes with it. Owning a home empowers an individual or a family, too. How one handles such empowerment determines the outcome– whether good or bad.  For example, maturity often comes with responsibility, a fruit that is priceless, especially with respect to teaching and training children. For example, our family saved thousands of dollars by working on our back yard together, which was bare (except for stubborn weeds)! We learned to prioritize, create an attainable goal (it took a year for us to finish given other priorities like work and school), and to work together from beginning to end. It became an adventure that worked our brains and our muscle, not to mention our people skills. Most importantly, our character was built up (perseverance, humility, diligence, integrity, and more!). We came up with plans, discussed them, and implemented them. We argued and learned to be gracious and to forgive. Even after we finished our back yard project, we would relish the time we had together by looking over videos and photos. We would take time to recall the hard work of weeding, measuring, planting grass seed, watering in the early mornings, tamping the ground to grade the land, mixing and pouring concrete, planting young trees, and much more! The proverb that now comes to mind is one that can be put in this way, “With great responsibility comes priceless fruits!”