Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains a key part of the American Dream. In fact, the   2022 Consumer Insights Report  from   Mynd   found the majority of people polled still view homeownership as a key life achievement. Let's explore just a few of the reasons why so many Americans continue to value homeownership. The Financial Benefits of Owning a Home One possible reason homeownership is viewed so highly is because owning a home is a significant  wealth-building tool , and it provides meaningful  financial stability  over renting by locking in your monthly housing payments for the length of your home loan. An article from  Forbes  explains: Understanding the potential benefits of homeownership helps individuals see the value of owning property instead of renting. . . . household wealth among homeowners is a whopping  1,469% higher on average compared to renters, excluding home equity, making the allure of homeownership even more enticing. Over time, owning a home no

  Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 7 Ways to Pay for Your Child's College Education As a parent, you’ve undoubtedly thought about your child’s college education—no matter what their current age is. And if you’re planning on paying their way, or at least helping them out, cost is certainly a factor. Unless you’ve got a huge sum of cash to plunk down when it’s time to pay, chances are you’ll need to find multiple ways to fund your child’s education. Here are seven options to consider: FAFSA Whether you or your child is paying, begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for any aid. The form allows you to receive financial aid such as federal grants, work-study grants, work-study opportunities, student loans and even some state- and school-based aid. Some colleges award this money on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it’s important to fill it out