Home is more than just a physical space. It’s an idea, a refuge, and an emotion; it’s where we feel safest and most at ease. We make homes out of the places we live in, the places we travel to, or the places we cherish in our memories. But traditionally, “home” has a much more specific definition — one tied to a physical place that can be protected and owned.

Legally speaking, a “home” is a person’s permanent primary residence – even if they aren’t currently living there. Home is defined as the place where one typically resides, owns, or pays taxes. Home ownership is a legal and economic principle that grants an individual guaranteed rights and privileges, as well as economic leverage.

When determining whether a home is a person’s primary residence, the court takes into account a wide array of factors like how much time a person spends at the location, how often a person works there, and which address is used for any official legal issues. A physical location is still legally considered a home if there is an intention to return and the resident has not legally claimed someplace else as their legal primary residence.

The idea of home can shape our lives in a variety of ways. It can determine the taxes we pay, our citizenship status, and which laws we follow. It’s also a legal designation that may influence the rights and responsibilities afforded to us. For instance, a homeowner may receive certain subsidies or tax incentives that are only available to residents of particular locales.

Home is also an emotional concept that allows us to feel more connected, rooted, and secure. We build homes with our belongings, our memories, and the people we surround ourselves with.

Ultimately, home is what we make it – whether it’s a physical location, a feeling, an idea, or a mix of all three. It’s our source of comfort and security, and it’s both a universal and a very personal concept.