In Iowa: Pursuing that American Dream

I bought a house recently. It's my first house. After posting a photo of it on social media, the congratulations came pouring in. Hundreds of them, including from many, many people I haven't spoken with in years.

It's apparent a lot of people I know think of homeownership as integral to the American Dream.

But as I pursue this American Dream, I want to admit I didn't earn it on my own.

I've worked hard, yes, and planned and saved, but that is just a small piece of my homeowner puzzle.

Family and friends who offered advice and support come first and foremost in my thanks, without reservation.

I'm lucky enough to not have had any bad breaks in my past that would wipe out savings or lead to bad credit.

My family has been able to help me when I was between jobs, most recently after a layoff and, earlier, when I graduated college into the depths of the recession and there simply weren't jobs to be had.

There's also the fact I live in Iowa, where I actually can afford to buy a house. Flyover country has some benefits.

According to U.S. Census data, Iowa has one of the highest homeownership rates in the country - over 72 percent of us lived in owner-occupied homes in 2010, compared to just under 65 percent nationally.

But its not that cheery for everyone. The number drops to 31 percent for black Iowans and 51 percent for Latinos.

As skin tone doesn't come with magic home-buying powers, let's talk about some of those numbers.

As I make my acknowledgments, I should note the lack of bias I faced when looking for a place to live - a 2012 study by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found black homebuyers across the country are told about and shown 17 percent fewer homes than equally qualified whites.

Similar biases exist for attempts to get the very jobs that let you save for a down payment and qualify for a mortgage. A 2009 study, for example, found white job seekers with felonies on their record got more responses from employers than people of color with similar skills but no criminal history. That's just one of a plethora of studies to which I could refer.

Then there are factors such as access to a quality education and growing up in a safe, stable neighborhood, which have effect not just me but my parents and their parents before them. Systemic things make an impact. All of those impacts compound, and they helped get me where I am today - in a financial place to make a big investment toward my own future.

Don't get me wrong - I am proud I have reached this milestone, and I don't begrudge anyone else the pride they should feel in their homes and other accomplishments. I'm also not trying to imply the obstacles listed above can't be overcome. Clearly, many do rise above them.

I just want to acknowledge the complexity and context behind this American Dream.