Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

Dated: July 21 2023

Views: 154

Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth




You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time.

Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income Level

You may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount. Data from First American helps illustrate this point (see graph below):

What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A recent article from Realtor.com says:

“Homeownership has long been tied to building wealth—and for good reason. Instead of throwing rent money out the window each month, owning a home allows you to build home equity. And over time, equity can turn your mortgage debt into a sizeable asset.”

Basically, the wealth you accumulate when you own a home has a lot to do with equity. As a homeowner, equity is built up as you pay down your loan and as home prices appreciate over time. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains how this same benefit isn’t true for renters in a recent podcast:

“Renters as non-homeowners gain no wealth benefit as home prices rise. That wealth actually accrues to the landlord.”

Before you decide to sign another rental agreement, now is a good time to think about whether it would be better for you to buy a home instead. The best way to figure out what makes sense for you is to have a conversation with a real estate expert you trust. That professional can talk you through the benefits that come with owning to determine if that’s the right next step for you. 

Bottom Line

If you're not sure whether to keep renting or to buy a home, know that owning a home, no matter how much money you make, can help build your wealth. Let's connect now to get started on the path to homeownership.

Blog author image

Marcus Roth

Welcome to my world of real estate, where my passion for helping clients like you find their dream home or navigate successful selling is more than just a profession—it's my purpose. I'm Marcus ....

Latest Blog Posts

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying Opportunity

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying OpportunityMaybe you’ve heard that the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. This might lead you to

Read More

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left a lot of people wondering what’s next – and whether now

Read More

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning Sign

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning SignWhen it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing

Read More

What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your

Read More
Stop it!