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67 July 2025 J O U R N A L July 2025 » themortgagepoint.com The good news? Interest rate reductions by the U.S. Federal Reserve have opened doors for prospective pur- chasers. To get the best mortgage rate available, Freddie Mac advises compar- ing quotations from three to five lenders. Accessing the real estate market is also now simpler than ever thanks to new investing platforms. Through the U.S. Home Equity Fund, investors can directly access hun- dreds of owner-occupied properties in major U.S. cities with a minimum invest- ment of $25,000. This allows investors to avoid the hassle of purchasing, owning, or maintaining real estate. This strategy offers a successful, hands-off method of investing in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets, with risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%. NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH 2025: AMERICANS VOICE HOPES AND HURDLES O ne of the biggest and most reputable homebuilders in the U.S., KB Home, has released the results of its second annual survey, which it carried out to find out how Americans feel about homeownership and to encourage their desire to pur- chase a home. According to recently released data, an estimated 83% of Americans still con- sider homeownership to be a significant milestone, but some 89% of them are worried about cost and the homebuying process. The month of June is National Homeownership Month, a time to honor the value of homeownership and the opportunities it may bring to both people and families. In celebration of the milestone, KB Home is disseminat- ing survey results and holding Home- buying 101 events nationwide with the goal of empowering more individuals to feel knowledgeable and in control of their homebuying process. In the study, experts from KB Home discuss subjects like the advantages of new construction, the advantages of owning a house as opposed to renting, and how to handle the homebuying pro- cess, including financing a new home, during two free in-person workshops. "This year's survey shows that the dream of owning a home is still very real, even if many people are unsure how to get there," said Rob McGibney, President and Chief Operating Officer of KB Home. "At KB Home, we're help- ing to bridge that gap by offering new, high-quality homes that are affordably priced and personalized to fit each buyer's lifestyle. These are the things Americans tell us they value most, and delivering on them is part of our com- mitment to making homeownership more attainable for more people." Americans Reveal What's Important, Still Wanting to Purchase Amid High Costs The Harris Poll conducted the na- tionwide survey in April 2025, and here's what Americans said: • The overwhelming majority (83%) of survey respondents believed that being a homeowner was a crucial life milestone. This view hasn't changed since 2024. • The top three positive emotions people identified with homebuying were motivation (28%), pride (43%), and enthusiasm (47%). • Safety and security (47%), more living space (47%), access to a backyard or In addition to skyrocketing property values, high mortgage rates are a significant barrier that keeps many Americans from "getting on the housing ladder."