A place to call home is one of the most fundamental needs in our society. The quality of life, security and general well-being that stem from access to decent housing cannot easily be measured in any quantitative sense. However, in terms of health and well-being and social and economic opportunity, it is often the first step towards a secure future for individuals and families.

While access to good housing provides shelter, stability and a sense of community, home ownership can provide even greater benefits including a sense of achievement and the accumulation of real equity from real estate appreciation. Purchasing a home is the single largest investment most people can make in their lifetimes. It is a cornerstone of "The American Dream."

According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, investment in residential real estate in 2003 accounted for approximately one-tenth of our country’s GDP growth and sales commissions alone pumped $80 billion into the economy. They also estimated that Americans had accumulated $8.4 trillion in home equity.

Harvard University’s 2004 State of the Nation’s Housing study states that condominium markets are also booming and that both sales and prices of existing condos/co-ops have risen steadily for eight consecutive years.