Posts from: Homeownership

If you’re torn between renting or buying, don’t forget to factor in the wealth-building power of homeownership. Unlike renters, homeowners gain equity as they pay their mortgage and as home values rise. That’s why, on average, a homeowner’s net worth is nearly 40x…

Are you looking to buy a home but feeling almost everything is out of reach? Here’s the thing. There’s still a way to become a homeowner, even when affordability seems like a huge roadblock – and it might be with a fixer-upper. Let’s dive into why buying a…

Looking ahead to 2025, it's important to know what experts are projecting for the housing market. Whether you're thinking of buying or selling a home next year, having a clear picture of what they’re calling for can help you make the best possible decision regarding your…

Are you curious about selling your home? Understanding how much equity you have is the first step to unlocking what you can afford when you move. Since home prices have risen so much over the past few years, most people have more equity than they may realize.

When you're ready to move, figuring out what to do with your house can be a big decision. Should you sell it and use the money for your next adventure, or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth?

Today’s headlines and news stories about home prices are confusing and make it tough to know what’s happening. Some say home prices are heading for a correction, but what do the facts say? Well, it helps to start by looking at what a correction means.

Equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. The typical homeowner gained $28,000 over the past year and has a grand total of $305,000 in equity. And there are a lot of great ways you can use that equity. Want to know…

Even though data shows inflation is cooling, many people still feel the pinch on their wallets. And those high costs on everything from gas to groceries fuel unnecessary concerns that more people will have trouble making their mortgage payments. But does that mean there’s…

Everyone’s vision for the future is personal and unique. But for many, common goals include success, freedom, and prosperity — values closely tied to having your own home and the iconic feeling of achieving the American Dream.

If you own a home, your net worth has increased significantly over the past year. Home prices have been rising, so you're building equity faster than you might think. Here’s how it works.

Considering selling your house without an agent? You should know some severe downsides to handling it on your own. You’ll miss out on marketing tools that draw in more buyers, pricing and market expertise, essential negotiation skills, in-depth knowledge of the fine print…

According to a recent poll from Gallup, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for twelve straight years. That’s because a home is so much more just than a roof over your head. It’s also an asset that typically grows in value over time. If you’ve…

Many homeowners looking to sell feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Today’s mortgage rates are higher than the one they currently have on their home, making it harder to want to sell and make a move. Maybe you’re in the same boat.

Even with the latest data coming in, the experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like the one we saw back in 2008. While headlines may be calling attention to a slight uptick in foreclosure filings recently, the bigger picture is that we’re…

Countless people have set out on the exciting journey of homeownership. Ask around, and you’ll find the vast majority are thankful they took the leap and bought a home. But why? It’s because of the many emotional and lifestyle benefits that come with being a homeowner.

If you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help you feel more confident in making your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve Board releases the Survey of Consumer…

Take a moment to imagine where you want to be in a few years. You might be thinking about your job, money, wanting more stability, or goals you want to reach soon. Is homeownership a part of that vision? If it is, you should know owning a home has many financial benefits.

Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices would fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there would be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the headlines got it wrong.

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it. 

You may see media coverage talking about a drop in homeowner equity. What’s important to understand is that equity is tied closely to home values. So, when home prices appreciate, you can expect equity to grow. And when home prices decline, equity does too. Here’s how…

Comparing housing market metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market – and the last few years have been anything but normal. In a way, they were ‘unicorn’ years. Expect unsettling housing market headlines this year, mostly due…

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and rising mortgage rates, you may wonder if it still makes sense to invest in homeownership right now. A recent poll from Gallup shows the answer is yes. Real estate was voted the best long-term investment for the 11th…

Buying and owning your home can make a big difference by bringing you joy and a sense of belonging. And with June being National Homeownership Month, it’s the perfect time to think about all the benefits homeownership provides. 

Even though home prices have moderated over the last year, many homeowners still have an incredible amount of equity. But what is equity? In the simplest terms, equity is the difference between the market value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage.