08/13/2026
Most people are taught how to buy a house. Very few are taught what a house can do for you. 🏡
A home can hold your people, your plants, your coffee—and, over time, a surprising amount of your financial future.
According to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, median net worth was $396,200 among homeowner households and $10,400 among renters and other non-homeowners.
That difference deserves our attention.
It doesn’t mean every homeowner is wealthy, every renter is behind, or buying a house automatically creates financial security. These numbers compare large groups of people; they are not a promise to any individual family.
What they do show is why homeownership belongs in conversations about building long-term wealth. As a mortgage is paid down, equity can grow. If property values rise, equity can grow. And, over time, a home can sometimes create options for retirement, family, investment—or whatever comes next.
Here in Asheville and across Western North Carolina, the path to homeownership can feel complicated. The goal is not to buy a house at any cost. The goal is sustainable homeownership: a payment that leaves room for the rest of your life, an informed decision, and a clear understanding of what a house can do for your life.
That’s why I’m creating free, bilingual real estate education for Western North Carolina. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a longtime homeowner, or simply curious about building equity, you deserve to understand the machinery so you can make informed decisions.
What would you like to understand better about homeownership in a future workshop?
Lisa Udolkin
Bilingual Realtor® | Nest Realty
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances