Who Owns the House?

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Who Owns the House? is a children’s book about buying a house for readers ages 8 and up. When the Rivera family moves into a new home, their kids want to know: if the bank lent the money, who really owns the house? Professor Ledger explains deeds, titles, promissory notes, mortgages, deeds of trust and equity in clear, accurate language.

About this children’s book about buying a house

The story follows the family from the open house to the closing table. First, the kids learn what a down payment is. Next, they watch their parents sign two important papers: the promissory note, which is the promise to repay, and the mortgage or deed of trust, which uses the home as security. Finally, they track how equity grows each year.

Accurate and age-appropriate

Home buying is full of confusing words, so the book defines each one with a picture and an example. It also explains that property laws differ from state to state, which is why some families sign a mortgage while others sign a deed of trust. As a result, kids learn the real vocabulary without getting lost.

Pair it with the lesson Mortgage vs. Deed of Trust and the Mortgage Mission calculator.

Using this children’s book about buying a house at home or in class

Read one chapter or spread at a time, then pause and ask what the characters should do next. Afterward, open the matching free lessons below for activities at three age levels. Teachers can pair this children’s book about buying a house with the printable worksheets in the Academy.