I had a coach one time that said, "If you don't own what you sell, you're a fraud!" 

Yes. 

Yes. 

Never been an issue. I've owned my home for over 35 years. I believe in telling the truth.  I would not lie if I did not own my home. That said, I would not volunteer the information yet would answer truthfully if asked.

In my life, I have been a tenant, an owner and a landlord.  There are advantages and disadvantages.  

I do, at one point (pre-divorce) I owned 5.

I still own principle and rental properties.

I have rented while I owned too, when I relocated to San Diego, so I'd say the only situation that would be suspect is never owning. I believe you can't master real estate until you have to experience it to truly understand what your clients are going through.

I purchased my first home when I was 18. That was 47 years ago. Since then I've owned many homes and rental properties, in fact there has NOT been a time since that 1st purchase that I have not owned one or more properties.

I'm with Michael Jacobs . I have been a tenant, an owner, and a landlord.

Yes to your questions on ownership.  

It's not something that most clients ask, however owning does provide some insights that help with the process.  Yes, I do own and I own multiple homes.

Not currently owning a home does NOT mean a home has never been owned or that a RATIONAL assessment deemed current ownership detrimental.

The nature of the question suggests only those who have experienced cardiac failure know how to prevent it. I would disagree that having a cardiac event or paying property taxes is the only way to be VERY knowledgeable on the subject.

For example, my stock portfolio yields a great deal better VALUE than the increase in property value ownership offers.

For some reason, this invalid question does appear in those exhaustive  "711 questions you must ask an agent before hiring them." One guy even advocated a FICO score is indicative of real estate acumen.

The narative that may result from this line of reasoning is Success Theater, Vanity Metrics and Surrogate Endpoints, the currency of the real estate agent.

My comment should suggest one should never have all their eggs in one basket. 

Do I INVEST in what I sell? You bet! Transformation is a universal currency that is embraced by renters, owners and sojourners alike.

(reloading)

I do own many homes.  I also work with investors to make them money on their purchases.

I do own my home.  Sold all my other properties when I moved to Dallas in 2007.

I own my own home. I don't get into discussions about my personal life with the client but if you don't own any real estate I definitely would not recommend broadcasting it proudly. People are allready going to judge you by your physical appearance, what comes out of your mouth, your clothes & the car you drive so why give them another thing to bestow judgement on? 

I owned a number of houses over the years, all good investments.

Yes, I own the homes I live in. But I do not invest in real estate as a financial vehicle... there are others I prefer at this stage of my life for liquidity.

Yes and yes!

When I hired long ago, first interview Q was: "How many real estate transactions have you been involved in as a principal?"

Smarty pants Carmen replied "All of them." LOL

They have owned in 3 different countries. 

Experience matters!

I rented when young, owned and do own. However, it is not necessarily a concern of my clients. We all have our own reasons for our strategies.

Owned dozens of homes and other properties before I decided to get licensed, made it much easier knowing how the game is played before jumping in and made it easier with a stack of my own properties to list right away.

If I beleive in something living it helps....

I have owned my own home for a long time.

I inherited a condo from my mother. I was a landlord for a few years until I sold it to the tenant. Mistake! I should have held on to it.

Yes.

Yes.

Most years, yes. But if I was renting, the issue has never come up, so I doubt it makes any difference to most people. many sellers and buyers were probably all renters at some point. There are many reasons not to buy, such as in military, and transfers are expected. Does every car sales person that sells Cadilac Escalades drive one? No. Do they al drive other models of Cadilacs? No. Are they frauds for wanting to work at a Luxury dealership? No. They most likely like the product, and want to sell a quality product to the public, and earn a living while doing so.

Makes no difference if the agent has ever owned Real Estate

Yes we own, wouldn't have it any other way. 

Do I need to own/or have owned a multi million dollar home to sell a $4.55 Million one--which I just did? Do I need to own/or have owned an oceanfront home in a resort area in order to sell one--which I just did? Do I need to own/or have owned a home on the Big Island of Hawaii to sell one--which I am doing, and with my brokers license in Hawaii? The answer is NO. I have very happy clients who never thought to ask if I "buy or rent".

Over the years have owned homes and investment properties. These last few years I am a tenant. It works for me and offers flexibility. 

Yes.

Of course as well as buy, fix and sell. You may not have to own, but do have to know what owning entails, know what you are selling, know the area and be able to show it

Absolutely we do! Yup.

yes..... I own my home and one single family home investment....

I had as many as 23 units at one time.... 

Yes, Yes, and I do not discuss personal matters with clients. 

There are some out there, and bet they DO NOT admit it.  I have owned a home (or more) since the age of 22.

I own and have investment properties.  I walk the walk that I talk.

Yes, I have and own real estate and sell.

I own a lot of real estate. It would be hard to sell investors if I didn't own real estate.

I have a lot of credibility with my clients and potential clients because beyond being an owner- I am on my condo board as President (and in the past have been Treasurer). It's not really the same as being on the board of an HOA in the rest of the country. Buying and selling is far more technical here- with agents or brokers that have legal and/or finance backgrounds having a distinct advantage.