Surprising costs associated with homeownership include taxes and roof maintenance

About 88% of all homebuyers feel their home is a good investment.

The pros and cons of long-term renting

Soaring mortgage rates and inflated home prices have led more consumers to opt to rent instead of buying, becoming “forever renters.” This article weighs the costs and benefits of renting instead of buying. Benefits include flexibility, less upkeep, and potentially lower expenses, while downsides include less stability and reliance on landlords. Read this article and decide whether homeownership or renting is the choice for you.

Owning a home can help build wealth via tax benefits and more

In addition to tax benefits and the potential to build equity in your home, houses are also typically considered an appreciating asset. That means their value is likely to increase over time.

Experts recommend putting aside between 1% and 4% of the home’s value for maintenance

Experts say homeowners should consider the home’s age and condition, and its location’s climate, when deciding exactly how much to put aside for repairs and maintenance. They also recommend setting aside more money for those who expect to hire others for home repairs rather than doing it themselves.

Many 'cheap' retirement destinations contain hidden costs

Considering factors outside of housing and state income tax is crucial when thinking of an inexpensive place to retire. High energy bills, grocery tax, and insurance premiums are just a few things to look out for when picking where to live.

Certain home renovations, such as installing an in-ground pool, could increase your property taxes

Significant home improvement projects like adding another bathroom or an addition might raise your tax bill if they significantly increase the value of your home. The amount your tax bill could increase by depends on how tax assessment procedures work in the home’s location, as they vary by locality.

A guide to the homebuying process

From searching for the home itself to writing an offer letter to closing on the home, there are specific steps involved in becoming a homeowner. This checklist from a Tennessee real estate broker provides a visual outlining the basic steps of the process.

The lifetime cost of the American dream exceeds $5M

A new analysis suggests it costs millions of dollars to maintain the American dream over a lifetime. The price tag includes retirement, healthcare, higher education, homeownership, and other core elements of a comfortable life for the average American.

How interest rates affect homebuying

Rising interest rates impact every aspect of buying a home. This five-minute article gives a high-level overview of the relationship between the housing market and interest rates.

The factors stirring up a home insurance storm

The cost of the average home insurance premium shot up 33% between 2020 and 2023 in the US, a trend mimicking heightened inflation. But beyond the cost, insurers are also pulling out of major markets like Florida and California, and millions of policies aren't being renewed as the number of $1B weather disasters continues to increase each year. Read up on the difficulties the home insurance market faces here.

The average monthly mortgage payment in the US costs 38% more than monthly rent

A recent study showed that the price gap between renting and buying grew in 38 major US metro areas since last year. The metro areas with the smallest price gaps between renting and buying include Detroit, Philadelphia, and Cleveland.

Despite record-high housing costs, Gen Z homeownership is surging

Many Gen Z homeowners have compromised on location and tightened their expenses to make buying a home possible. In 2025, 4% of homebuyers were Gen Z, up from 3% the year before.

The total cost of owning an ETF is the sum of the holding costs and the transaction costs

Holding costs include things like the expense ratio, or the annual fee that a fund issuer charges. Transaction costs include things like brokerage commissions, or the fee that a broker charges to enact a trade. However, in recent years, most brokers have essentially eliminated commissions on ETF trading.

Charting the rise of the American McMansion

US homes are growing larger and more luxurious, with Census Bureau data revealing a rise in four-bedroom houses equipped with air conditioning. Experts say the trend of elevated home prices is expected to continue.

A ‘rent vs. buy’ financial calculator

The New York Times built a continuously updated financial calculator to help potential homebuyers figure out which makes more sense given their individual situation: buying or renting a home. It takes into account how long someone plans to own the home for, mortgage rates, and more.

Renting versus owning a home, charted by age

One-third of American households are rented. The other two-thirds are owned or in the process of becoming owned, according to 2022 data from the American Community Survey. While most people rent in their younger years, homeownership rates tend to fluctuate based on age. To see home ownership and renter rates charted by age, check out these charts.

Despite earning less than most tech workers, educators have one of the highest rates of homeownership

Annual income largely determines homeownership. In the US, 72% of people in management roles own a home, but educators, who on average earn much less than those working in business, have the second-highest rate of homeownership.

Flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program cost just over $1,100 per year on average

Private residential policies range from $600 to $2,800 per year. Taking steps to lower flood risk in your home, such as installing flood vents or elevating home utilities, can make premiums cheaper.

See the annual income required to purchase a typical three-bedroom home in each state as of 2025, based on a 10% down payment, a 6.65% interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, and a 30% income-to-housing cost threshold.

Housing prices have skyrocketed over the last 50 years

After adjusting for inflation, housing costs have more than doubled since 1965. And based on average incomes, buyers are spending more than five times their income for a home versus buyers in 1965, who typically spent less than three times their income.

See how much it costs to build a new home in each US state, as homeowners look to new construction in a competitive real estate market—with a national average cost of over $332K for a 2,100-square-foot home.

The salary needed to buy a home in the US

Anyone who has recently explored buying a home in the US knows it's not a cheap endeavor. The median salary for the typical American homebuyer has risen to roughly $104K, up from $88K two years ago. This data visualization breaks down the household income required to buy a median-priced home in 50 major US metro areas. Learn more here.

Geothermal heat pumps have the greatest upfront cost of any home heating system

As of 2025, installations of these systems can range from $15,000 to over $40,000, significantly more than for furnace-air conditioner and air-source heat pump systems. However, they are up to 50% more efficient than these alternative systems, making them able to pay for themselves within 15 years.

The American Dream costs more than $4M

The estimated cost of the American Dream—including buying a house, yearly vacations, retiring, raising two children, getting married, and more—is $4.4M, according to recent data from Investopedia. This illustrated graphic shows the estimated cost of the American dream per household over the course of their lifetime. See it here.

The lifetime costs of caring for a dog can run anywhere from $16,440 to $52,075.

Concierge services are one of the top medical costs retirees fail to factor into their planning

One of the unexpected medical costs retirees are facing is thousands of dollars a year for concierge care membership fees. A typical annual fee can average $3,500. Concierge care is an option that's particularly popular among older adults with more complex health needs and in some areas of the country doctors are increasingly turning away Medicare patients and only accepting new patients willing to pay annual fees for concierge medicine. (Some users may experience a paywall.)

Here's why weddings are so expensive

Anyone who has planned a wedding knows firsthand how shockingly expensive things like flowers or a live band can be. This article from the wedding experts at The Knot breaks down why, exactly, weddings cost so much. Plus, it explains the truth behind the so-called “wedding tax.” Read the article to learn more.

Mortgage insurance offers help to buyers who can’t afford to put down 20% up front

Buyers who need mortgage insurance end up paying more per month on top of their loan to cover the added insurance. At its core, mortgage insurance helps buyers purchase a home they can’t afford, letting them put down 20%, while protecting lenders offering potentially risky loans.

For much of human history, homeownership was primarily associated with the elite

Before the Industrial Revolution, early mortgages were rather exclusive loans given only to nobility. But as more people gained more wealth through the Industrial Revolution, banks began to take on “higher-risk” loans to everyday people.

Simple home improvements like proper insulation can reduce winter energy bills

To save money in the colder months, some experts recommend washing your clothes in cold water, using your dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand, and more. This article lists even more winter money-saving tips.

Roughly 37% of first-time US home buyers have student debt

When those people have extra money, they might wonder: Is it better to pay down my mortgage or my student loans first? This article argues that the answer depends on each loan's interest rate, among other factors.

Mutual funds come with a few associated fees.

57% of future homebuyers plan to put down less than the recommended 20% on a house

Historically, experts have recommended buyers put down 20% on a house when buying. But due to rising housing costs and the cost of living, this goal is unattainable for many buyers.

Why Americans keep buying McMansions

Some argue that McMansions—large, relatively newly built, amenity-filled, cookie-cutter homes—are ugly. Others say they're just not a good investment. And yet Americans continue buying them. This video explores why McMansions are still popular despite these criticisms, and how these homes got their start in the first place. Watch the video here.

Some wedding expenses might be tax-deductible, depending on the situation

For instance, donating your wedding flowers to a homeless shelter or other nonprofit organization may make them tax-deductible. Some other expenses that may be tax-deductible in specific instances include historical venues, wedding gowns, and more. Find out more about which wedding expenses could be tax-deductible via this article.

The rare, so-called 'assumable' mortgage is landing homebuyers a 3% rate.

Zoning laws determine what can be built—and where—in every American community

Local governments use zoning to regulate land use. About 75% of residentially zoned land in American cities is designated for single-family homes only—a restriction that some experts blame for increasing housing costs and reducing affordability.

Ranking the most expensive appliances on your electricity bill

Energy costs have gone up amid war and inflation. Here's a breakdown on the cheapest and most expensive appliances in your home to help you lower your bill.

How the credit scoring system could change

Factoring rental payments into credit scores is just one proposed change some have suggested making to today’s credit scoring system to cater the system to renters as well as homeowners.

Mortgages are loans used to buy property

A mortgage is a loan used to buy property, like a house. Borrowers typically put down a percentage of the cost of the home, and the amount left over is financed through a lender, like a bank.

Historically, borrowing money from other people to purchase property was common until private financing companies—primarily building and loan associations—stepped in to offer mortgages to buyers.

Refinancing a mortgage is when a homeowner exchanges their current loan for a new one

Homeowners typically refinance to secure a lower interest rate and potentially a new loan term length. Debt owed on mortgages made up about 70% of US consumer debt as of 2025.

The average wealth gap between homeowners and renters was more than $1.3M in 2022.

The bathroom upgrade that might increase a home's resale value

When deciding what to improve during a home renovation, people often think about their home's future resale value. Now, real estate experts are claiming that adding a luxury shower might provide the most bang for your buck in the renovation department. Learn more in this article.

The total cost of weather and climate disasters from 1980 to 2024 is almost $3T

The NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management tracks the cost of damage, deaths, and other key statistics related to hurricanes and weather disasters. In 2024, there were 27 billion-dollar disasters, each averaging $1.2B more in damage than the prior five-year average.

A 'debt trap' refers to the need for loans or credit to cover the expenses incurred from other debt

Debt traps can be caused by unforeseen expenses or inadequate savings and can be a brutal cycle to break. At the end of 2025, total household debt in the US reached $18.8T, according to data from the Federal Reserve of New York.

The typical US household could lower its household costs by 6.4% by using coupons

The study looked at coupons for food, household items, entertainment, and clothing, as well as other expected expenses. The grocery store category offered the largest amount of savings at around $316 annually.

Several Frank Lloyd Wright properties are on the market

Several of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes are currently for sale, offering buyers the opportunity to own a historic building. Some of these homes could stay on the market for years, as they’re famously a pain to maintain.

Mutual fund investors typically must pay a variety of different types of taxes associated with their investment, unless the funds are within tax-advantaged accounts like a 401(k) or IRA.

The average US household carries $105,056 in total debt

This article breaks down the average household debt by category, including credit card debt ($6,523), personal loans ($11,274), and more.