Homebuyer's Remorse - Homeownership Series Part 1
From: Curt Nickisch
Series: The Depreciating American Dream
Length: 06:38
The Sangsters of Boston's Mattapan neighborhood thought they were doing the right thing for their young family. But just about everything that could go wrong went wrong. Homeownership cost the family $80,000 in four years, and they're underwater another $110,000 on the condo they bought. They regret ever buying.
Such homebuyer's remorse seemed unthinkable not that long ago, but the housing collapse has forced many people to rethink homeownership. Rising home values used to bail people out of bad decisions. Now people have seen how risky housing can be, and the financial and emotional toll homeownership can take. Part 1 of a WBUR series, "The Depreciating American Dream."
More from Curt Nickisch
A Third Way Between Renting and Buying? Homeownership Series Part 4
(04:06)
From: Curt Nickisch
We've heard from people relieved to be renting. We've heard from homeowners struggling to make it work. Could there another way? In the wake of the housing collapse there ...
Two Renting Couples, No Regrets - Homeownership Series Part 3
(05:39)
From: Curt Nickisch
Two couples from Boston's Brighton neighborhood -- one young, one old -- have had the money to buy a home but choose to keep renting. In the third part of our series, we meet ...
Doubting the Suburban Dream Home - Homeownership Series Part 2
(04:23)
From: Curt Nickisch
Andrea and Raymond Quenneville think they timed it about as well as they could, taking the plunge last year at what they considered a low point in the market. They bought a ...
Double Arm Transplant Hopeful In Her Own Words
(02:25)
From: Curt Nickisch
Meet Katy Hayes. She’s hoping to get her arms back in the world's first-ever double arm transplant above the elbow. The Texas mom lost all her limbs two years ago from a ...
Why Your Dog Can Get Vaccinated Against Lyme Disease And You Can’t
(07:26)
From: Curt Nickisch
Modern science has given us a vaccine to protect against Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne illness in the United States. But we don't use it.
WWII Army Musician Remembers
(06:18)
From: Curt Nickisch
Love of music prompted Homer Parce to sign up for an army band. Military service whisked the small town South Dakota boy across the Pacific just as the U.S. was entering ...
Pearl Harbor Veteran Jim Peacock Remembers
(09:02)
From: Curt Nickisch
Jim Peacock is one of only a few dozen U.S. veterans who witnessed both the beginning of World War II at Pearl Harbor and the war's end on deck the U.S.S. Missouri. He ...
Mitt Romney: The Corporate Years
(05:46)
From: Curt Nickisch
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney made his fortune in private equity by restructuring companies, sometimes at the expense of jobs. His quarter century of corporate ...
Nonprofit Narrows Science Gap Between U.S. And Africa
(04:19)
From: Curt Nickisch
The gap between science in the U.S. and Africa is as wide as the ocean between them. But a nonprofit startup is trying to be a good Samaritan with America's scientific ...
Remembering 9/11: Internet Co. Keeps Founder's Spirit Alive
(06:29)
From: Curt Nickisch
Daniel Lewin, the co-founder of a Boston-area Internet company, died trying to stop the terrorist attack aboard American Airlines Flight 11 on 9/11. Many doubted his company ...
Related Pieces
Piece Description
The Sangsters of Boston's Mattapan neighborhood thought they were doing the right thing for their young family. But just about everything that could go wrong went wrong. Homeownership cost the family $80,000 in four years, and they're underwater another $110,000 on the condo they bought. They regret ever buying.
Such homebuyer's remorse seemed unthinkable not that long ago, but the housing collapse has forced many people to rethink homeownership. Rising home values used to bail people out of bad decisions. Now people have seen how risky housing can be, and the financial and emotional toll homeownership can take. Part 1 of a WBUR series, "The Depreciating American Dream."
Transcript
SUGGESTED INTRO:
With the spring season for home sales underway, we’re talking a closer look at homeownership this week in a series we're calling the Depreciating American Dream.
There's no question that many people still desire to be kings of their castle. But the housing collapse is forcing many to rethink the whole notion of homeownership.
This week, we’re going to hear from people who are happy and better off for renting. And we’re going to hear from homeowners who are struggling with homeownership's the financial and emotional costs.
To begin, WBUR's Curt Nickisch on a family from Boston's lower-income Mattapan neighborhood who dreamed of having the white picket fence.
STORY:
They thought they were doing the right thing for their family. Thought they were laying the foundation for a life of prosperity. Four years ago, Calvin and Ateiya Sangster bought a condomi...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:With the spring season for home sales underway, we’re talking a closer look at homeownership this week in a series we're calling the Depreciating American Dream.
There's no question that many people still desire to be kings of their castle. But the housing collapse is forcing many to rethink the whole notion of homeownership.
This week, we’re going to hear from people who are happy and better off for renting. And we’re going to hear from homeowners who are struggling with homeownership's the financial and emotional costs.
OUTRO:Related Website
Of 1 purchasers of this piece...
- 1 also bought:
- 1 also bought:
- 1 also bought:
- 1 also bought:
What is Poetry? (03:36) - 1 also bought:
