The existence of a mortgage, deed of trust, contract to purchase, or similar debt on the property. Land contracts, contracts for deed, and assumption agreements are included. This item was ascertained for owner-occupied one-family houses on less than 10 acres, without a commercial establishment or medical office on the property. Mobile homes or trailers and condominium units were also excluded. This item was asked on a sample basis.

Selected monthly owner costs are usually reported separately for units with a mortgage and for units not mortgaged (i.e., owned free and clear) since housing costs are quite different for the two groups.

The year of the householder's latest move into the housing unit, ascertained for occupied units. Respondents who had moved back into a unit they previously occupied were asked the year of the most recent move, as were those who moved from one apartment to another in the same building. This item also includes those who, living in a mobile home, moved from one location to another in the same mobile park. The intent of this question is to establish the length of occupancy by the present householder.

The year that the householder moved in is not necessarily the same year other members of the household moved, although in the great majority of cases an entire household moves at the same time. Respondents who indicated that they "always lived here" are assigned to the category corresponding to their year of birth. This item was asked on a sample basis.