The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released a report revealing that the growing wealth gap in this country has been impacted by the recent increases in real estate values coupled with the drop in homeownership rates. The report discloses:
“Over 90 percent of metro areas have experienced declining homeownership rates at a time when home values have risen and incomes have remained flat.”
Increasing home values in many regions of the country have helped homeowners build housing wealth in recent years. However, the continued decline in homeownership means this increase in wealth is shared by fewer people and likely leading to worsening inequality in the U.S.
Here is a chart showing the aforementioned increasing gap between renters and homeowners in regard to family wealth:
Bottom Line
If the experts are correct, and a homeowner really will have an average of 40 times the net worth of a renter by the end of this year, doesn’t it make sense to evaluate if a purchase could be in your future? Let’s get together and discuss how you can start building your family’s wealth.