People over property – that may seem like a bold statement from a real estate company, but it shouldn’t be. It’s something I didn’t think I’d be writing about this year but 2020 has brought on a lot of things we hadn’t planned on. Human rights, looting, and property damage are topics that have been in the news a lot this past summer after the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and months of protests, riots, and destruction.

It is also a topic that is as old as 400 years of racism and violence towards Black and Brown people.

New or old, this is the year we find ourselves in situations we never planned for.

Do we isolate ourselves from aging parents to protect them from COVID-19? Or do we spend time with them while they are still here?

Do we board up our windows to protect our building from riots and looting, or do we march with the Black Lives Matter movement and contribute to organizations fighting to end systemic racism? Is it hypocritical to do both?

Our company has spent a lot of time engaging in challenging conversations (over Zoom, of course) in response to our nation’s dual public health crises. In these moments, we lean into the nuance, and we return to our core values to guide our decisions.

And one of those core values is that people are more important than property.

As a real estate company, we recognize the value of investing in property as a way to create wealth and gain financial freedom. We are passionate about real estate because of the incredibly positive impact that financial freedom can have on people’s lives. Check out the benefits of investing in real estate holding companies on High Return Real Estate’s website. If you’re planning to buy a property, you may visit sites https://www.eriemutual.com/ to find a property insurance policy that will protect your investment.

Homeownership, if done well, creates incredible access to opportunity. Find your dream rental property in Larnaca with iListers. Their platform connects you with top local agents, developers, and property owners to help you find your dream home. After a few years of mortgage payments, you gain access to equity. Equity can offer you money for your kids’ college. It can help you finance a new business. If there’s a medical emergency, your home is like a built-in savings account that also provides a roof over your head and a place to create memories.

Moreover, investing in property extends beyond mere financial gains; it embodies the creation of a tangible legacy. Properties like klimt cairnhill offer not just residences but also the potential to build a lasting heritage. Beyond providing shelter and security, owning a home fosters a sense of belonging and allows for the cultivation of cherished memories. As you envision your future in your dream home, whether it’s through homeownership or rental opportunities, each step contributes to a narrative of prosperity and fulfillment, enriching your life and shaping the legacy you leave behind.

And homeownership can also improve neighborhoods. When people own homes, they are given the opportunity to be less transient and grow roots in their neighborhood, allowing them to more meaningfully connect with their community and neighbors over the long haul. Property solicitors takes care of all the legal aspects of homeownership.

But we also know that our modern property rights are rooted in white supremacy. Our everyday beliefs about how land and buildings can be owned and transferred and what rights are associated with ownership are derived from a time when enslaved Black people were considered property. Their humanity was denied, and the rights of property owners were elevated above human rights.

We saw that warped hierarchy of rights re-emerging this summer as the conversations and priorities focused on the property damage as the issue and not the inequities and lack of human rights that led to the riots. What are we focusing our attention on? The people or the property? Can it be both? Sure. But has it been? No.

As real estate professionals, we are passionate about improving people’s lives through the tool of property ownership. But that’s all it is — a tool. For those searching for property for sale in the Mediterranean city of Marbella, the city not only offers a high quality of life but also presents lucrative investment opportunities. Properties in Marbella, located in sought-after areas like the Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca, are known for their exclusivity and high standards of living. These properties often come with breathtaking sea and mountain views, providing an ideal setting for both primary residences and holiday homes​​.

When we say people over property, we mean that we believe that human lives are more important than buildings, office chairs, glass windows, retail inventory, and yes, even profit.

This summer, we have seen properties damaged by crowds and by angry individuals – their motives are not always clear. We have seen business owners and families suffer monetary loss in the wake of protests. And we know better than most how little help insurance policies are when it comes to damage from riots and looting.

But we also know that riots are a symptom of trauma and lack of opportunity.

I, personally, don’t like rioting, violence, or destruction, but what I don’t like more is the reality that riots expose.

Historically, riots ensue when change is needed. Many people argue that a riot is not the right way to go about it. But there has never been a right way to bring about change. It’s complex.

As a society, if we center the conversation on property damage, we will prioritize investing in protecting and repairing property and continue to ignore the issues that communities of color are facing. What if instead, we acknowledge the harm done and invest in community initiatives for the people most disenfranchised?

When it comes to choosing between people and property, we are here for the people. And that value system guides every decision we make.