For generations, buying a home has been positioned as the pinnacle of the American Dream: a symbol of success, stability, and adulthood. But with today’s affordability realities, that dream risks becoming less of a default milestone and more of a decision that requires true intentionality.
This isn’t a rallying cry against homeownership. I’ve literally built my career and company on real estate. But it’s time to rethink how and why we pursue ownership and how the right strategy can still turn real estate into one of the greatest wealth-builders of any generation.
The Dream We Were Sold
Post-World War II America created a simple formula: get a steady job, buy a house, raise a family, and retire happy. Homeownership became synonymous with success.
Fast forward to today. The median age of first-time homebuyers has reached 38, up from 29 in 1981 (National Association of REALTORS). And the U.S. housing market has reached its least affordable point in nearly 40 years (Live Now FOX, 2024).
Yet homeownership is still treated as a rite of passage. The truth is, it should be treated as a financial strategy.
When Ownership Feels Like an Anchor
Today, freedom increasingly means flexibility. But for some, homeownership feels like the opposite- tying them to one location, one mortgage, and fewer lifestyle options.
Affordability is part of the equation- 70% of Americans believe buying a home is harder for young adults now than it was for their parents (Pew Research Center). But it’s not the only reason.
Remote work and lifestyle shifts have fundamentally reshaped what people want out of where they live. According to Apartment List’s 2025 report, 36% of fully remote workers and 44% of hybrid workers plan to move, compared to just 27% of on-site workers. Mobility itself has become a priority, and for many, delaying homeownership allows them to optimize their career choices, enjoy location freedom, and have more personal experiences.
For some, renting isn’t a failure. It’s flexibility.
The Housing-Industrial Complex
For decades, tax advantages, mortgage incentives, and aspirational marketing have positioned homeownership as the smart financial move- and for good reason.
Because despite today’s real affordability challenges, one thing remains unchanged: those who secure ownership, even in difficult markets, are the ones who build the most long-term wealth.
Yes, buyers today face real headwinds:
- Price-to-income ratios remain near record highs (Live Now FOX, 2024)
- Mortgage rates are elevated (Reuters, 2025)
- Inventory remains limited (Bloomberg, 2024)
- Down payments continue to strain savings (National Association of REALTORS, 2024)
But every major housing cycle has shown the same thing: those who enter ownership, even when it feels difficult, build leverage, equity, and long-term security that renting simply can’t replicate.
Because while markets fluctuate, ownership compounds.
Homeownership: Still a Powerful Investment
Despite these headwinds, homeownership continues to be one of the most powerful wealth-building vehicles in the U.S. economy:
- Homeowners hold nearly 40 times more median net worth than renters: $396,000 vs. $10,400 (Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, 2023).
- Home equity makes up 50% to 70% of net wealth for typical U.S. homeowners (Urban Institute, 2024).
- As of 2025, total U.S. homeowner equity exceeds $35 trillion (Federal Reserve Board, 2025).
- Equity gains accelerate intergenerational wealth: children whose parents own homes are 3 times more likely to become homeowners themselves (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2024).
- U.S. home values have appreciated at an average annual rate of roughly 4% over the past 30 years (S&P Case-Shiller Index, 2025).
So What’s the Fix?
It’s not about abandoning ownership. It’s about approaching it with intention.
At SERHANT., we guide clients to make decisions aligned with their life, goals, and long-term financial strategy. Sometimes that means buying now. Sometimes it means waiting. But always, it means making the right move for your personal wealth trajectory- not someone else’s timeline.
The Takeaway
Homeownership remains one of the most powerful financial tools available- not because it’s easy, but because when done right, it compounds into generational wealth.
Has the American Dream become the American distraction? Only if you forget to design your life first and buy your home second.