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…