by Ed Gorman Managing Director, GROWTH by NCRC There’s no way to sugarcoat it: the news on affordable homeownership midway…

No matter where you start in life, or the neighborhood you live in, every family deserves the opportunity to own a home, start building wealth, and enjoy the American dream. Our mission is to make homeownership possible for more people.

Today, the average first-time buyer is single and aged between 22 and 34 years. Ultimately, these trends and numbers bode well for the housing market in many aspects. But they also indicate that there may be a lack of real estate experience among buyers. Because of this, it’s only natural that many first-time buyers should have several important questions. If you or anyone you know has just made a first foray into being a homeowner, here are five such questions you should ask yourself, your broker, or your prospective seller:

Despite what Wall Street says, homeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream; it remains the only reliable way for working-class Americans to build generational wealth. 

Our Story: Why Our Life-Changing Mission of Affordable Homeownership is so Important to Me. A GROWTH employee shares her personal story.

Purchasing a home can be difficult for many, but even more so for single moms. We’ve provided a few tips to help single parents in their home search.

Did you know that 80% of homeowners own a pet? In honor of National Love Your Pet Day, we’re dedicating this post to our furry, scaly, feathered friends.

Increases in house prices and, soon, interest rates have an obvious impact on housing affordability reducing opportunities for affordable homeownership.

2022 Affordable Design Trends: Whether you own a home, are looking for that perfect place, or are exploring ideas to improve your current abode, this is for you!

Meet Alvin Johnson, GROWTH by NCRC’s agent partner at its new Oak Hill community in Birmingham, Alabama, an affordable homeownership community.

Housing Trends: High Prices and Limited Inventory Continue to Impact Home Purchasing Ability in 2022. Many buyers locked out of homewwnership.

Last year certainly had its moments. Take a walk down memory lane as GROWTH reveals the top five housing and real estate stories of 2021.

A Fair Housing Legacy: Recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his pivotal role in the Fair Housing Movement and passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

With winter upon us, let GROWTH help you take the frosty bite out of utility bills. Save money with these winter energy saving tips.

2021 was challenging for the housing market.  Covid-19. Skyrocketing prices. Increasing demand. Here is our list of the Top 5 Housing Challenges. 

A Nation of Involuntary Renters. Single-Family Homes Built for Rent Reach Record High As Homeownership Rates Decline Amid Pandemic Woes.

Latino Homeownership: American homeownership will be driven by Latinos in the decades to come. Short supply and access to credit remain obstacles.

It’s officially that time of year: football games, Halloween, and pumpkin spice! Let us help you beat Old Man Winter with this fall clean-up checklist.

October is National Financial Planning Month and Growth wants to help you navigate ways to reach your financial goals by learning how to plan properly.

New U.S. Mortgage Report Shows Hispanic Households Will Lead New Homeownership Rates of Growth More Than Any Other Demographic Group.

Our world becoming more tech driven. But don’t worry! Growth has you covered on ways to make your home a “smart home” on a modest budget.

HUD Sells Homes in Flood Zones to LMI Buyers:  The Impact of Climate Change and Structural Racism on Homeownership for LMI Buyers. 

Why Going Big on the $3.5 Trillin Senate Infrastructure Bill Pays Off–the Senate Infrastructure Bill & the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act.

Racism and Homeownership: Despite the efforts to address equality in housing, the Markup report reveals that discriminatory policies are still firmly in place. 

House and Senate Democrats hope to pass a $3.5T Senate Budget this fall to improve Covid-19 relief, housing, education, employment, workforce, and climate.

A community land trust (CLTs)is an organization that provides long-term affordability and shared equity homeownership opportunities for LMI communities and families.

FHFA, White House, Treasury, and HUD Announce Additional Measures to Promote Affordable Housing in the multi-family market and in homeownership.

The White House announced on Wednesday that it is taking steps to add 100,000 affordable homes in markets with the greatest need.

Homeownership Affordability: 20MM homes must be built in the next decade to provide what our political rhetoric has long espoused: the American Dream for all.

Looking for a new home?  Skyrocketing prices, lack of affordable homes, cash offers, no contingencies, and bidding wars keep many buyers on the sidelines.

Housing counseling can provide the right tools for current AND prospective homeowners to make responsible and sustainable choices.

DASH stands for Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing. The proposed Senate DASH Bill includes several tax-related proposals and other housing policy changes. 

Planning for vacations or an extended absence? We’ve created a checklist to help you keep your home safe and secure so you can enjoy your time away.

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was passed in 1977 to end housing discrimination, known as redlining. But discrimination is still a problem in lending.

Just starting your home search? Join us for a conversation with top-producing Realtor to learn more about tips for first time homebuyers.

Appraisal Discrimination: Appraisers’ opinions of value are often what stands between the accumulation of equity and the destruction of it for Black Americans

Twenty percent of homes sold were to single women. The state of affordable homeownership is female! Yet, women still face home buying challenges.

How do we link homeownership with saving the planet?  We’ve created a list of ten ways to a green home. These tips help Mother Earth and lower ownership costs. 

What is fair housing? The Fair Housing Act seeks to end housing discrimination. Fair housing “is the right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination.”

What is affordable housing? Housing is affordable when it serves those living at or below AMI. Not more than 30% of one’s income should be spent on housing.

Nothing is quite a satisfying as a clean home. We’ve tackled some of the dirty work for you with our spring cleaning tips and helpful checklist for making your home sparkle inside and out.

We’ve curated a list of a few of our favorite women-owned businesses in the markets GROWTH currently serves. Support women-owned businesses and brands.

To best enjoy the spring weather, there are some spring home maintenance tips you should check off your to-do list.

What is redlining and why does it matter? Why is it still a problem?
GROWTH explores the history, impact and future of redlining.

Black history month is more than just an observance of a neglected past. How are you challenging yourself and others to grow and change this month and beyond?

Let us lift one another up to accomplish great things, to become a more perfect union. Check out these inspiring inaugural quotes.

So, you just bought a home. Temperatures are dropping. There may even be the first hint of frost and snow. Winter is coming! Don’t let it wreak havoc on your castle. Every home benefits from a little cold weather TLC—even new ones! Our checklist will help ensure you winterize your home against the Old Man Winter so you and yours can enjoy the perks winter brings instead.