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Most Homeowners See Their Home as a Reflection of Who They Are; Most Renters See It as Just a Place To Live

  • In recognition of National Homeownership Month in June, we surveyed American homeowners about how their homes and neighborhoods make them feel. 
  • Most homeowners have warm feelings about their home, with 74% saying their home is a reflection of who they are. The same share, 74%, agreed they would rather be home than anywhere else. 
  • Most homeowners (72%) feel a sense of belonging in their neighborhood, and 71% have a neighbor they consider a friend.
  • By contrast, most renters (57%) said their home is just a place to live. Just 35% of homeowners said the same.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of U.S. homeowners would rather be at home than anywhere else, according to a recent Redfin-commissioned survey. 

In recognition of National Homeownership Month in June, Redfin is reporting on how Americans feel about their homes and their neighborhoods. Redfin commissioned Ipsos to conduct the survey of 4,000 U.S. residents, including 2,280 homeowners and 1,431 renters. Results in this report are based on a single question which asked respondents to answer how likely they were to agree or disagree with a set of statements about how they relate to their current home and neighborhood.

Homeowners were about as likely to agree that their home is a reflection of who they are (74%), and that they feel a sense of belonging in their neighborhood (72%).

Most Homeowners Would Rather Be Home Than Anywhere Else, Feel Sense of Belonging in Neighborhood
How much do you agree or disagree with the statement below? Share of homeowners who agree Share of renters who agree
My current home is a reflection of who I am 74% 46%
My current home is just a place to live 35% 57%
My home is the only place I can get a good night’s sleep 61% 61%
I would rather be at home than anywhere else 74% 68%
I feel a sense of belonging to my neighborhood 72% 54%
I feel like I have things in common with my neighbors 67% 49%
I have a neighbor whom I also consider a friend 71% 50%
The stats in this table are from a Redfin-commissioned survey commissioned by Ipsos in May 2026 fielded to 4,000 U.S. residents. 2,280 homeowners responded to this question, as did 1,431 renters. Results shown here reflect shares of respondents who chose “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree.” 

“For many homeowners, a home is more than a place to sleep and store belongings—it’s a reflection of who they are,” said Redfin Principal Economist Sheharyar Bokhari. “Homeownership can help people put down roots, build relationships and create a space that feels uniquely their own. Those emotional benefits are a big reason why owning a home remains a cornerstone of the American Dream. While affordability remains a challenge, today’s buyer’s market is giving some house hunters more negotiating power. Buyers are increasingly able to secure concessions and include inspection contingencies, helping them make more informed decisions before taking the leap into homeownership.”

Celia Fernandez

Celia Fernandez

As a senior lifestyle data journalist for Redfin News, Celia covers interesting homes and neighborhoods, inspirational people in real estate and emerging trends in the way people are living. She is particularly interested in what people’s homes look like, whether it’s a tiny house in the middle of nowhere or a traditional home in a classic suburb. Prior to working at Redfin, Celia spent almost four years as a real estate reporter at CNBC, where she produced original features and data-driven articles.

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