The biggest single aspect of the American Dream is owning a home. Not only is a single-family residence (SFR) the single biggest investment most Americans will make in their lifetimes, but home ownership also is a way for people to move within the American economy. Lower-priced starter homes help people get on the real estate ladder, and move up into larger homes, if they desire, as their incomes, wealth, and savings increase.

In short, homeownership has been the key to people entering the middle class

But that's proving more difficult these days.

There are the usual suspects for skyrocketing home prices, such as inflation and rising interest rates. Of course, there's often buyers that are competing for the same house. But for one in four buyers of single-family homes (SFRs) in 2022, none of those factors matter.

Wall Street Wants Your Home