More Americans Choose Real Estate as the Best Investment Than Ever Before

Americans’ opinion on the value of real estate as an investment is climbing. That’s according to an annual [survey](https://news.gallup.com/poll/392330/record-low-say-good-time-buy-house.aspx) from _Gallup_. Not only is real estate viewed as the best investment for the ninth year in a row, but more Americans selected it than ever before. The graph below shows the results of the survey since _Gallup_ began asking the question in 2011. As the trend lines indicate, real estate has been gaining ground as the clear favorite for almost a decade now: [](https://i0.wp.com/cherylbowerrealestate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/20220613-MEM-Eng-1.png?ssl=1) If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, let this poll reassure you. Even when [inflation](https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2022/05/20/dont-let-rising-inflation-delay-your-homeownership-plans-infographic/?a=550432-7d0dd2250a392515b4ab3273bfa644ce) is high like today, Americans recognize owning a home is a powerful [financial decision](https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2022/03/22/the-many-benefits-of-homeownership/?a=550432-7d0dd2250a392515b4ab3273bfa644ce). #### **How an Investment in Real Estate Can Benefit You During High Inflation** Because [inflation](https://eyeonhousing.org/2022/06/inflation-hits-a-fresh-40-year-high-in-may/) reached its highest level in [40 years](https://www.bankrate.com/investing/inflation-hedges-to-protect-against-rising-prices/) recently, it’s more important than ever to understand the financial benefits of homeownership. Rising inflation means prices are increasing across the board, and that includes goods, services, housing costs, and more. When you purchase your home, you lock in your monthly housing payments, effectively shielding yourself from increases on one of your biggest budgetary items each month. If you’re a renter, you don’t have that same benefit, and you aren’t protected from these increases, especially as [rents rise](https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2022/02/25/the-difference-between-renting-and-owning-infographic/?a=550432-7d0dd2250a392515b4ab3273bfa644ce). As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at _realtor.com,_ [notes](https://www.realtor.com/research/weekly-housing-trends-view-data-week-apr-23-2022/): > _“Rising rents, which continue to climb at double-digit pace . . . and **the prospect of locking in a monthly housing cost in a market with widespread inflation are motivating today’s first-time homebuyers**.”_ #### **When Inflation Has Risen in the Past, Home Prices Have Too** Your house is also an asset that typically increases in value over time, even during inflation. That‘s because as prices rise, the value of your home does too. Mark Cussen, Financial Writer for _Investopedia_, puts it like [this](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/060916/top-5-ways-hedge-against-inflation.asp): > _“There are many advantages to investing in real estate. . . . **It often acts as a good inflation hedge since there will always be a demand for homes, regardless of the economic climate, and because as inflation rises, so do property values**. . . .”_ And since rising home values help increase your [equity](https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2022/04/08/do-you-know-how-much-equity-you-have-in-your-home-infographic/?a=550432-7d0dd2250a392515b4ab3273bfa644ce), and by extension your [net worth](https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2022/03/28/a-key-to-building-wealth-is-homeownership/?a=550432-7d0dd2250a392515b4ab3273bfa644ce), homeownership is historically a good hedge against inflation. ### **Bottom Line** Buying a home is a powerful decision. It’s no wonder why so many people view it as the best long-term investment, even when inflation is high. When you buy, you help shield yourself from increases in your housing costs and you own an asset that typically gains value with time. If you want to better understand how buying a home could be a great investment for you, let’s connect today.