BLOGBlog posted On January 02, 2025
Considered one of the greatest films of all time and certainly amongst the best holiday movies, It’s a Wonderful Life released in 1946 and despite nearing its 80th anniversary, its themes of family and friendship have resounded powerfully throughout each ensuing decade. The film is especially relevant to today’s housing market; much of the movie’s plot revolves around affordable homes, ditching landlords like Mr. Potter, and in George and Mary Bailey’s case, taking on a fixer-upper home. The real estate market has fluctuated plenty since Frank Capra’s beloved picture dropped in theaters, but the dream of homeownership is ever-present in the film, one that George Bailey believes everyone deserves, regardless of their situation.
Ditch Landlords Like Mr. Potter!
“Are you running a business or a charity ward? Not with my money!” – Mr. Potter, It’s a Wonderful Life
Tired of helping landlords like Mr. Potter pay down their mortgage and not your own? Not only are you paying someone else’s mortgage, but you’re not building up equity for yourself. You might not have a villainous landlord like the wealth-obsessed Mr. Potter, bent on owning the entirety of Bedford Falls for himself and stopping anyone from possessing long-term investments. Even if you have a reasonable landlord, you’re nonetheless limited as a renter in many ways. Renters are typically not allowed to make renovations to their rental space, and if there are urgently needed repairs, it can sometimes take days and multiple follow-ups to get a hold of the landlord or maintenance staff. As a homeowner, you have control over these situations and won’t have to worry about losing out on your deposit. Don’t hesitate, it’s time to kick Mr. Potter to the curb and turn to helpful lenders like George Bailey!
Everyone Deserves Access to Affordable Housing
“You know, George, I feel that in a small way we are doing something important. Satisfying a fundamental urge…for a man to want his own roof and walls and fireplace, and we’re helping him get those things in our shabby little office.” – Pa Bailey, It’s a Wonderful Life
In the film, George worked tirelessly in his family business, Bailey Brothers Build and Loan, where he established a housing development that allows first-time homeowners to live happily in modest, well-built homes; because of this, George makes homeownership possible for those who might’ve turned to Mr. Potter, forced into paying overpriced rent in his Potterville, an area providing only weak, deteriorating infrastructures and unhealthy living spaces. Like George and his father, we believe that everyone deserves the dream of homeownership and that affordable housing should be available to all who need it. Like George takes on potential home buyers from any background, we offer loan solutions like Non-QM Loans to serve borrowers who don’t meet traditional lending requirements. Like the Baileys, our loan officers are here to help you in any way that they can and offer solutions to trickier loan scenarios.
It’s Okay to Adapt Your Dreams and Renovate a Fixer-Upper Home
“Remember the night we broke the windows in this old house? This is what I wished for.” – Mary Bailey, It’s a Wonderful Life
Frank Capra’s heartwarming tale revolves around adapting your dreams as your life situation changes. Much like George has to reassess his dreams of traveling the world, family emergencies happen, and thus, his priorities change as well as his finances. One of these adjustments includes his “dream” home. Instead of buying a new, fully furnished home after he marries Mary, she convinces him to move into the Old Granville house, a derelict mansion Mary had wished for years before. There’s broken windows, dozens of leaks sprinkling water, ripped wallpaper, and countless repairs besides. However, they repair and remodel the house over time, and it becomes a happy, lively home where they raise their three children. It’s a good lesson for homeowners even in the modern day. You shouldn’t be stuck on this idea of the “perfect” home. Like the Baileys, you can always take a chance on a fixer-upper home and renovate the home slowly. If you’ve already lived in your home and it needs repairs and remodels, renovation loans are also an option, especially if you want to take advantage of your equity to fund these renovations.
The Power of Community and Family Support
“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” – Clarence, It’s a Wonderful Life
In the film’s final moments, George Bailey truly learns the value of community and friendship. Over the course of his life, he has impacted so many individuals through his virtuous actions. As a boy, George saved his brother Harry from drowning in the ice; while working as a shopkeeping assistant, he stopped his manager Mr. Gower from making a fatal error with a drug formulation. In his adulthood, he helped many renters become homeowners, avoiding Potter’s overpriced, poorly built rental units. Time and time again, George adjusted his dreams and aspirations to help the people in his life, and when he needed help the most, the whole town came to his aid. Like George Bailey, don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially with your own home. Like Bedford Falls generously donated money to help George and his family’s building and loan business, your very own friends and family can gift funds for your down payment through HomeFundIt™, our unique gifting platform. You too can experience the joys of friendship and community, just like George Bailey when his brother Harry toasts him, calling him “the richest man in town.”
We hope you and your families have a fantastic holiday season. Perhaps you’ll turn on the TV and catch this wonderful movie playing for the umpteenth time. The lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life are as relevant as ever, and we hope it reminds you that everyone deserves a warm home, surrounded by their loved ones.
Source: Candy’s Dirt, It’s a Wonderful Life
