African Americans and the Homeownership Divide
The homeownership gap between blacks and whites has been the same for more than a century. Here's a look at how redlining, minority loan restrictions, government funding of white-only suburbs and other factors account for that stark reality.
Income Doesn’t Determine Whether People Buy Homes, for Now
People will continue to break into the market when and how they can by buying cheaper homes, homes farther out, smaller homes—whatever is feasible. The rub is that as U.S. housing markets continue to burn hot, the feasible options become harder to find for more of us.
Singles Can Afford Fewer Than Half of U.S. Homes — and It’s Worse for Women
It takes a single person almost 11 years to save a down payment for a typical U.S. home – more than twice the time it takes a couple. The wage gap means single men can save down payments faster -- and afford a greater share of U.S. homes than single women.
Why Blacks and Hispanics Rely On Their Homes for Their Wealth
White households are more than twice as wealthy as black and Hispanic households, and their more diversified portfolios mean that a smaller portion of whites’ wealth is tied up in their homes.
Typical millennial and Gen X homeowners with a mortgage have roughly similar levels of equity in their homes, even though Gen X homeowners are older and have had a longer window to own a home and build equity in it.
Moving to Opportunity: Why Breaking Family Ties Isn’t So Easy
Family is among the most important reasons why some people stay put -- and living close to extended family is a higher priority for lower-income Americans, according to the Zillow Housing Aspirations Report (ZHAR).
A Picture’s Worth: How Housing Affordability Changes Across Racial Communities
Nationwide and in many metro markets, rent in black and Hispanic communities consumes a much larger share of household income than in white communities, widening the great divide that already exists between white America and communities of color.
On Unequal Footing: How Housing Affordability Changes Across Racial Communities
Nationwide and in many metro markets, rent in black and Hispanic communities consumes a much larger share of household income than in white communities, widening the great divide that already exists between white America and communities of color.
Subdued new home construction activity in recent years is pushing up the price and age of those homes that do sell, and contributing to slower depreciation in value among aging homes that otherwise would become more affordable. As a result, those homes that are affordable for lower-income, renter households are increasingly older and potentially a lot more hazardous.
Homes in Black Neighborhoods Twice as Likely to be Underwater as Homes in White Neighborhoods
Nationwide and in a number of large metro markets, the negative equity rate in largely black communities is double or more the rate in majority white communities. The disparities reflect the wide gulf that exists between white America and communities of color and their very different experiences throughout the housing boom, bust and recovery.
