Homeownership Accelerates Generational Wealth
Homeownership timing has become a critical driver of wealth in the United States, with the median age of first‑time buyers climbing from 30 in 1990 to 40 in 2025 due to soaring prices and longer savings horizons. Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics shows that purchasing a home before age 30 yields roughly $119,000 more net worth by age 50 compared with buying in one’s 40s. Children raised in homeowner households are 18.4 percentage points more likely to own by age 35, reinforcing a cycle of intergenerational wealth. Racial gaps persist, as White homeownership stands at 75.1% versus 44.2% for Black households in 2025.
February 2026 Hottest Housing Markets
Manchester‑Nashua, New Hampshire reclaimed the top spot in February 2026, attracting 3.4 times the national average viewers per listing and selling homes in a median 36 days. The Midwest and Northeast dominate the Top 20, with Wisconsin contributing seven metros and overall median days...
America’s Most Expensive ZIP Codes – 2026
The 2026 luxury housing report shows the median entry price for the nation’s top 10 % of homes steady at about $1.2 million, while the elite “ultraluxury” ZIP codes now start at $5.5 million. Newport Coast, CA (92657) displaced Fisher Island, FL to...
Commentary: Case-Shiller Home Price Index Price Growth Slowing Through December
The S&P CoreLogic Case‑Shiller National Home Price Index rose 1.3% year‑over‑year in December, a slight dip from 1.4% in November, indicating a slowdown in price growth. Existing‑home sales fell to a 1995 low while national inventory more than doubled since...
January 2026 Rental Report: Renter Conditions Improve Across U.S. Markets, With Notable Increases in Vacancies
Realtor.com’s January 2026 Rental Report shows the 29th consecutive month of year‑over‑year rent declines for 0‑2‑bedroom units, with the median asking rent falling 1.5% to $1,672. Vacancy rates in the nation’s 50 largest metros rose to 7.6%, the highest since...
