The increase in the estimated value of my home since I purchased is nearly the same as what I have paid on the mortgage to date. If I were to sell today I'd probably come out ahead, with the net effect being that I was paid to own the home in which I lived.

There may not be any single greater factor driving the growing divide between the haves and have-nots in this country than home ownership. Even as a beneficiary I find it kind of upsetting.