Why Orange County Homeowners Feel More At Home Than Renters Ever Will

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June marked National Homeownership Month, and Redfin took the opportunity to ask Americans a simple but revealing question: how do you actually feel about your home and your neighborhood? Redfin commissioned Ipsos to survey 4,000 U.S. residents, including 2,280 homeowners and 1,431 renters, and the results paint a clear picture of what owning a home really means to people.

The headline finding is striking. Nearly three-quarters of homeowners, 74%, said they would rather be at home than anywhere else. That same share agreed their home is a reflection of who they are, a sentiment renters were far less likely to share.

Owning a Home Means More Than Having a Roof Overhead

The survey found a real gap between how homeowners and renters relate to their living spaces. Seventy-four percent of homeowners agreed their current home is a reflection of who they are, compared to just 46% of renters. On the flip side, most renters, 57%, said their home is just a place to live, while only 35% of homeowners felt the same way.

That distinction matters. A home you own tends to become an extension of your identity, shaped by your choices, your memories, and the life you build inside it. Renting can certainly feel comfortable, but ownership seems to unlock a deeper, more personal connection to a space.

The Neighborhood Connection Homeowners Feel

Homeownership doesn't just change how people feel about their four walls. It changes how they feel about the block, too. Seventy-two percent of homeowners reported a sense of belonging in their neighborhood, 71% said they have a neighbor they consider a friend, and 67% felt they have things in common with the people living around them. Renters scored notably lower across all three measures.

Redfin Principal Economist Sheharyar Bokhari summed up why this matters, explaining that for many homeowners, a home is "more than a place to sleep and store belongings," but instead becomes a true reflection of identity, roots, and relationships.

What This Means for Orange County Buyers

Here in Orange County, this data lines up with what I see every day working with buyers and sellers. People aren't just purchasing square footage, they're investing in a lifestyle, a community, and a sense of belonging that's hard to replicate as a renter. Whether it's coastal living in Newport Beach, family friendly neighborhoods in Irvine, or the classic charm of Orange, owning a home here gives you roots in a community people travel from all over to experience.

Building equity is part of the appeal, but the emotional payoff highlighted in this survey is just as real. A home that feels like a reflection of who you are, in a neighborhood where you actually know your neighbors, is worth a great deal beyond the purchase price.

Today's Market Gives Buyers More Room to Negotiate

Affordability is still a real challenge for many house hunters, but the current market is offering some relief. Buyers today are increasingly able to secure concessions from sellers and include inspection contingencies in their offers, giving them more negotiating power and more confidence before committing to homeownership. For anyone who has been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a better opportunity, this shift toward a buyer friendly market could be exactly the opening you need.

Bottomline

Owning a home is about far more than equity and square footage. It's about building a life you're proud of, in a neighborhood that feels like yours. If you've been thinking about making Orange County home, whether you're buying your first house or ready to sell and make your next move, I would love to help you get there. Reach out to Whitestone Real Estate today, and let's find the home that truly reflects who you are.

Reference: Fernandez, C. (2026, July 1). Most homeowners see their home as a reflection of who they are; most renters see it as just a place to live. Redfin News.