Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They're AtYou're scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then
The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth 🏠
Dated: January 15 2024
Views: 3
The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth
If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here's a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision.
Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares net worth for homeowners and renters. The latest report shows the average homeowner’s net worth is almost 40X greater than a renter’s (see graph below):
One reason a wealth gap exists between renters and homeowners is because when you’re a homeowner, your equity grows as your home appreciates in value and you make your mortgage payment each month. When you own a home, your monthly mortgage payment acts like a form of forced savings, which eventually pays off when you decide to sell. As a renter, you’ll never see a financial return on the money you pay out in rent every month. Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First American, explains it like this:
“Renters don’t capture the wealth generated by house price appreciation, nor do they benefit from the equity gains generated by monthly mortgage payments . . .”
The Largest Part of Most Homeowner Net Worth Is Their Equity
Home equity does more to build the average household’s wealth than anything else. According to data from First American and the Federal Reserve, this holds true across different income levels (see graph below):
The green segment in each bar represents how much of a homeowner's net worth comes from their home equity. Based on this data, it's clear no matter what your income level is, owning a home can really boost your wealth. Nicole Bachaud, Senior Economist at Zillow, shares:
“The biggest asset most people are ever going to own is a home. Homeownership is really that financial key that helps unlock stability and wealth preservation across generations.”
If you’re ready to start building your net worth, the current real estate market offers several opportunities you should consider. For example, with mortgage rates trending lower lately, your purchasing power may be higher now than it has been in months. And, with more inventory coming to the market, there are more options for you to consider. A local real estate agent can walk you through the opportunities you have today and guide you through the process of finding your ideal home.
Bottom Line
If you're unsure about whether to rent or buy a home, keep in mind that owning a home can increase your overall wealth in the long run, no matter your income. To discover more about this and the many other benefits of homeownership, let’s connect.
Connect with us to start your homeownership journey in Chester County:
- Visit Maura's Website
- Utilize our Home Valuation Tool: Home Valuation Tool
- Explore Market Reports: Market Report Tool
Maura White-Howard
With 30+ years in the real estate industry, I've helped countless clients buy, sell and invest in homes. Each transaction is unique, with different needs, wants, timelines, and financial situations. T....
Latest Blog Posts
Who Has the Upper Hand in Today's Housing Market?Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal. And just about every seller wants to know
The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next HomeIf you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment.The truth is, you
14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America’s Favorite InvestmentQuick gut reaction. Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds? The answer
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the TREND Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of
property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which The Move With Maura Team participates, and is provided by TREND through a licensing
agreement.
© 2026 Florida Gulf Coast MLS (FGCMLS) Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The IDX data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
© BRIGHT, All Rights Reserved
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
