The Hidden Expense Shocks Threatening To Upend American Household Finances in 2026
First-time homeowners are constantly reminded that having an emergency fund is essential. But the reality is that these days, it’s easier said than done to put money aside. In fact, routine house problems like a broken dishwasher or a leaking pipe are pushing some people into debt. By the end of 2025, 2 in 3…
Foreclosures Jump 26% in First Quarter With Surprising Midwestern State Leading the Nation
Foreclosure filings continued to rise nationwide in the first quarter of 2026, with total activity up 26% from a year ago. There were a total of 118,727 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings during the three months of the year—with Indiana, South Carolina, and Florida recording the highest foreclosure rates for the period. The total includes default notices, scheduled…
Home Equity Is the Key To Unlocking Millionaire Status—but the Dream Is Getting Further Out of Reach
America is minting millionaires at a remarkable pace—but for many households, that wealth exists more on paper than in the bank. As home prices surged, many homeowners were pushed closer to seven-figure net worth through rising equity. But the same market that helped create those millionaire balance sheets has also made it harder, slower, and…
The New Rules of Generational Wealth: Why Buying a ‘Money Pit’ at 30 Beats Waiting for the Perfect Home at 40
When Amanda and Vincent DeRise went to view a 140-year-old Victorian home for sale in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, their real estate agent didn’t mince words: It was a “money pit.” But the DeRises saw a way into the wealth engine that has defined middle-class America for generations. While it’s no secret that homeownership builds wealth…
VA Congressman McGuire Champions His ‘Unique’ Bill To Cut Capital Gains Tax for Senior Sellers
As homeownership slips further out of reach for young Americans, a new bill introduced by Virginia Congressman John McGuiretakes aim at two ends of the housing market at once: first-time homebuyers struggling to afford a home, and senior homeownersreluctant to sell because of steep capital gains taxes. The proposed legislation, called the American Dream Act,…
Super Bowl Ticket vs. a House: Some Seats Are Selling for as Much as a Down Payment on These Homes
Whether you’re a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, the New England Patriots, or just football in general, Sunday’s big game is the moment you’ve waited for all season. Attending the Super Bowl is a bucket list experience for die-hard fans across the nation—an experience that is wildly out of reach for many, given the high…
Owners of Newly Built Homes May Struggle To Break Even on a Quick Resale
Recent buyers of newly built homes who try to quickly resell their properties may struggle to break even on what they paid, raising a warning for buyers who aren’t planning to remain in their homes long term. Nationally, 6.9% of all homes constructed since 2023 are worth at least 5% less than their initial purchase…