Lately I have been thinking about how we assign positive and pejorative meanings to words and terms depending on our current situation. Take, for example, real estate. 

According to wikipedia, real estate is a legal term (in some jurisdictions, such as the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and The Bahamas) that encompasses land along with improvements to the land, such as buildings, fences, wells and other site improvements that are fixed in location – immovable.

According to Merriam-Webster, it’s even simpler still: property in buildings and land.

But it is also so much more in our country. It’s the American dream; home sweet home; shelter; status; a lifestyle perpetrator; an investment; a source of income; a place to hang a hat, plant a garden and raise a family; and recently for some, a ball and chain and credit shredder. Real estate is good, bad and ugly, wonderfully appointed, ramshackle and has the potential to be neglected or “enhanced” beyond recognition (thinking of Heidi Montag and/or home renovations with all new but decidedly unflattering fittings).

The face of real estate here is most influenced by the economy. In 2004 and 2005, real estate was put on a pedestal. Since then, it’s been put in the doghouse. And in the near future, we’re hoping that real estate will land in location that’s a healthy in-between. (Perhaps upstairs or in the living room?)

Having experienced my first bout with homeownership during these torrid times, I am now a firm believer that no one thing defines real estate. No matter what face it wears, all the meanings of the term ought be considered when making decisions – as should the goals one has in life. But despite real estate’s many meanings, it – like everything else – can be boiled down to being just stuff. And the importance of stuff in our lives will always see-saw. And that’s something that will never change.

Good reads about real estate:
Home Free: A tale of enchantment, then disenchantment with homeownership
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/garden/07men.html?scp=2&sq=homeowner&st=cse

House Talk with June Fletcher: Thoughtful column featuring Q&A, how-to’s trends & tips
http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=House%20Talk&mod=DNH_S

Honey, I Shrunk the House: More new homes are small wonders http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704509704575019462787197650.html?mod=WSJ_Real+Estate_LeftTopNews

Let the Sunshine in… to heat your water http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703906204575027012258855730.html?mod=WSJ_Real+Estate_RIGHTTopCarousel 

Homeowners’ Resources: Good need-to-know and how-to information
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Family/Homeowners.shtml

Tools of the Trade: Glean data from the National Associations of Home Builders
http://www.nahb.org/