#homeownership

#homeownership

The "Great Lock-In" trend on TikTok has gained momentum as a strategy to help individuals achieve their goals, such as homeownership, by focusing intensely on saving and planning during the last few months of the year. This trend aims to motivate and support individuals in their financial journey toward homeownership. Let's delve into the key takeaways from this trend:

Buying a home is supposed to be one of life's big milestones - but sometimes, the reality of being a homeowner comes with way more stress, regret, and unexpected challenges than anyone warned you about. So, we want to know: If you recently bought a home and already regret it, what happened? Maybe you moved farther from friends, family, and the places you love than you ever wanted, and now every commute feels like an endless slog.

The cost of achieving the American Dream in 2025 has soared past $5 million, according to a comprehensive analysis by Investopedia, marking a staggering milestone in the financial realities facing U.S. households today. This figure represents the cumulative lifetime expenses of eight pillars of middle-class aspiration, and stands nearly $600,000 higher than last year's estimate, and almost 50% more than just two years ago.

Borrowers can secure a conforming first mortgage without mortgage insurance, lowering monthly payments. The assistance is repaid, along with a share of market appreciation, when the home is sold or refinanced. This new partnership will help make the dream of homeownership a reality for more Detroiters, offering the kind of affordable support that leads to long-term housing stability, said Amy Hovey, CEO and executive director of MSHDA.

Redfin puts it bluntly: America's homeowner population has stopped growing. Chen Zhao, Redfin's head of economics research, attributes this to "rising home prices, high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty [which] have made it increasingly difficult to own a home." Zhao also noted secular shifts in the economy that may be playing a role. "People are also getting married and starting families later, which means they're buying homes later-another factor that may be at play."

As young buyers scrape together down payments, boomers are sitting on $82 trillion in wealth-more than twice what Gen X has and four times as much as millennials. New research shows the wealth gap has only widened since the 1980s, as older generations saw bigger gains in homeownership and stocks while younger people took on faster-growing mortgage debt. With boomers holding onto large homes and aging in place, younger buyers are struggling to break into a shrinking market.

Between 1983 and 2022, the relative household wealth of Americans 75 and older soared, while the mean net worth of all other age groups fell, according to a new paper by Edward Wolff, a New York University economist. Wolff found the gap was driven by three main factors: the homeownership rate, the share of stocks owned, and mortgage debt. He zeroed in on the gap in median net worth between Americans over 75 and those under 35.

Only 36.4% of U.S. residents under 35 own homes, reflecting a broader decline in homeownership rates among younger age groups. The situation is particularly dire in Massachusetts, where the median listing price is $797,000 and requires an annual income of approximately $210,000 to afford.

"You're a little bit early in your process. Not in your age-but in your process. You're in the middle of transitional things that need to happen before you start investing."

Nearly 60% of millennials and Gen Zers say social spending has impacted their financial goals, reflecting the struggle between maintaining a social life and saving for the future.

Crossing $2 billion in deployed capital speaks to both the trust we've earned from homeowners and the growing support of capital partners who share our vision.

Boundary lines, or property lines, are critical as they delineate ownership and responsibilities regarding modifications or issues occurring on the property. Disputes over these lines can cause significant problems if not resolved.

While filing for bankruptcy can present financial challenges, it is crucial to understand that it does not permanently close the door on homeownership. Many individuals successfully purchase a home after navigating the bankruptcy process.

In Ohio, the median home price clocks in at $289,900, among the lowest in the nation. A typical mortgage payment comes to $1,513.

Owning a home on one income may be feasible in affordable states in the Midwest and the South. Alabama checks both boxes—and continues to draw interest from buyers looking for value and stability.

The equity exit strategy involves selling a home before the bank forecloses, allowing you to access any remaining equity, pay off your mortgage, and avoid the credit-damaging consequences of foreclosure. This approach highlights the importance of timing, as selling while there’s still market value can prevent a total loss and mitigate financial damage.

"Residents typically own the structure, but not the land beneath it. That legal distinction leaves them vulnerable."

The FHFA's decision to accept VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages corrects the legacy of inefficiency and waste that outdated credit scoring models have perpetuated, said Tony Hutchinson.

A built-in vacuum system is cumbersome and requires annoying storage space, leading to the decision to opt for a cordless vacuum instead.

A reverse mortgage, or lifetime mortgage, allows homeowners aged 55 and over to borrow against their home's equity, requiring no monthly repayments.

According to Realtor.com economists, 9.4% of Washington homeowners exceeded the previous $10,000 SALT deduction cap. With the new $40,000 ceiling, only 0.8% are projected to remain above the limit.

"Wealth isn't just about income. It's about what you own and how liquid or productive those assets are. That's why I always emphasize home equity, smart investing, and managing cash flow over chasing a bigger paycheck."