There are many financial and non-financial benefits of homeownership. The greatest is wealth creation. The following are important statements about the topic. Let’s start with Freddie Mac! He explains:
“Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is their own and an avenue for building wealth over time. This ‘wealth’ is built, in large part, through the creation of equity…Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.”
Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American:
“The wealth-building power of homeownership shows that home is not only where your heart is, but also where your wealth is…For the majority of households that transition into homeownership, the most recent data reinforces that housing is one of the biggest positive drivers of wealth creation.”
According to CoreLogic’s Homeowner equity insights Report, there’s a surge in wealth created over the last twelve months through increased home equity. The report makes five key points:
- 38% of all homes are mortgage-free
- The average equity gain of mortgaged homes in the last year was $26,300
- The current average equity of mortgaged homes is greater than $200,000
- 16.9% increase in total homeowner equity
- Total homeowner equity reached over $1.5 trillion
More equity gives homeowners the power to better manage these trouble times. Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist for CoreLogic, explains:
“This equity growth has enabled many families to finance home remodeling, such as adding an office or study, further contributing to last year’s record level in home improvement spending.”
Frank Martell, President and CEO of CoreLogic, states:
“This growing bank of personal wealth that homeownership affords was noticed by many but in particular for first-time buyers who want a piece of the cake.”
Last year, the Rosen Consulting Group released a report highlighting the benefits of homeownership.
“In economic literature, the wealth effect is a term used to describe the fact that individuals have a tendency to increase their spending habits when their actual or perceived wealth increases. For homeowners, the latent savings achieved by building equity in their home and the growth in home values over time both contribute to increased net worth. Through the wealth effect, this in turn translates to households having a greater ability and willingness to spend money across a wide range of other types of goods and services that spur business activity and provide a positive multiplier effect that creates jobs and income throughout the economy.”
Holly Parker, Founder and CEO of the Holly Parker team at Douglas Elliman, states:
“Real estate has incredible tax benefits. In certain situations, you don’t have to pay taxes on your gains from investment properties. You can also get a $250,000 tax break as an individual and $500,000 as a married couple. The wealthiest people collect property the way they used to collect cars. Interest rates are low, prices have fallen, and you don’t have to tie up a lot of cash in the investment.”
