Homeownership Is Still at the Heart of the American Dream

A door handle with a key in it and stairs leading to the top of the steps.

Kevin Brierton – 1.15.2024 Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream. Unlike renting, owning a home means more than just having a place to live – it offers a sense of belonging, stability, and freedom. According to Nicole Bachaud, Senior Economist at Zillow: “The American Dream is still…

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The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth

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Kevin Brierton – 1.11.2024 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 the net worth of homeowners and renters. The latest report…

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Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals

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Kevin Brierton – 1.9.2024 If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth…

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Experts Project Home Prices Will Rise over the Next 5 Years

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Kevin Brierton – 12.4.2023 Even with so much data showing home prices are rising in most of the country, there are still a lot of people who worry there will be another price crash in the immediate future. In fact, a recent survey from Fannie Mae shows that 23% of consumers think prices will fall over the next 12 months. That’s nearly…

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Understanding the Benefits of Owning Your First Home

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Kevin Brierton – 10.4.2023 Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers by PulteGroup: “When asked why they purchased their first home recently, the answer was simple: because they wanted to. Either the desire to stop renting…

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Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership

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Kevin Brierton – 10.2.2023 If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those market factors are important, there’s more to consider. You should think about the long-term benefits of homeownership too. Think about…

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What Experts Project for Home Prices Over the Next 5 Years

A person holding a house and pen on top of papers.

Kevin Brierton – 9.12.2023 If you’re planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment. While you may have seen negative news over the past year about home prices, they’re doing far better than expected and are rising across the country. And…

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Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

A person sitting in an adirondack chair on the porch of a house.

Kevin Brierton – 7.20.2023 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…

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Americans Still View Homeownership as the American Dream

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Kevin Brierton – 7.4.2023 Everyone’s interpretation of the American Dream is unique and personal. But, for many people, it’s tied to a sense of success, freedom, and prosperity. These are all things that owning a home can help provide. A recent survey from Bankrate asked respondents which achievements they feel most embody the American Dream.…

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Why Homeownership Wins in the Long Run

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Kevin Brierton – 6.27.2023 Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision. Consider this: if…

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Trying To Buy a Home? Hang in there.

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Kevin Brierton – 4.6.2023 We’re still in a sellers’ market. And if you’re looking to buy a home, that means you’re likely facing some unique challenges, like difficulty finding a home and volatile mortgage rates. But keep in mind, there are some benefits to being a buyer in today’s market that give you good reason…

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Is It Really Better To Rent Than To Own a Home Right Now?

A wooden box with a sign sitting on top of it.

Kevin Brierton – 3.6.2023 You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on. A lot of the time, these reports are assuming things that aren’t…

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One Major Benefit of Investing in a Home

A stack of coins with a house on top.

Kevin Brierton – 3.1.2023 One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability. According to Freddie Mac: “Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.†With spring approaching, now’s a great…

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