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We often hear people talk about the American dream. Home ownership, more often than not, is what defines that dream. It's what draws countless numbers of people to our country every year. Given the current state of both the economy and the real estate market, does that dream still exist? A lot of people say yes. Clark Hayward, a previous homeowner, had been renting a house, but just recently decided to buy again.

"It's a great time to buy a house right now," he said. "Prices are a bit lower, the market is down a little bit, and interest rates are the lowest they've been in my lifetime."

A recent poll conducted by the National Association of Home Builders surveyed 2,000 across the country and 75 percent of them said that no matter what the market is doing, owning a home is worth the risk. Plus, according to Hayward, home ownership also instills a sense of pride and freedom.

Hayward said, "It's an opportunity to make someplace your own. I've been renting for two years and never really feels like home. I'm looking forward to closing. There's a lot of things I want to do. A lot of things I want to change. Absolutely there's a sense of pride in that."

And Hayward feels buying remains a wise investment, even though a lot of economists and so-called "experts" nowadays might tell you otherwise.

Hayward said, "Certainly there's a financial aspect to this. Not only is it an investment, but the tax implications of owning a house are also very attractive to me at this point."

Remember to do your homework. There's a lot of stock on the market right now. Difficult for sellers, but ideal for buyers at the moment. You will find something that fits your budget and, as Hayward said, take advantage of the low interest rates and make your American dream come true.