Not everyone is destined to own a home—renting can be the smarter choice during certain seasons of life. It offers flexibility, fewer responsibilities, and lower upfront costs. Sometimes, investing in financial markets, relocating for career advancement, or maintaining simplicity just makes more sense.

Yet, when you're ready—and able—to invest, real estate stands out. Homeownership is a powerful vehicle for building lasting wealth. According to recent data from the National Association of REALTORS®, homeowners have a median net worth around $396,200, compared to just $10,400 for renters

National Association of REALTORS®Another NAR study found that homeowners’ wealth can be 40 times higher than that of renters-driven by equity gains averaging over $100,000 over the past decade

National Association of REALTORS®At the national scale, homeowners now hold about $34.5 trillion in equity; making up roughly 72% of the overall value of owner-occupied real estate—one of the highest levels in decades

Realtor+1This high equity position provides significant financial resilience; even if home values dropped by 10–20%, homeowners would still retain a substantial cushion

Realtor.Moreover, 79% of buyers believe owning a home is a solid financial investment

...not just because of potential appreciation, but because each mortgage payment effectively acts as a "forced savings" strategy, helping build equity and long-term security.

In summary: renting has its advantages and is the right move for many at certain points in life. But when you do have the means and stability, buying a home remains one of the most reliable paths to wealth accumulation and financial resilience.