Important 2020 Black History Lesson on Homeownership: Buy Low…and Hold!
A recent Brookings Institute study shows that homes in Black neighborhoods are undervalued. Now is the time to buy your future castle!
According to the Brookings Institute, the same homes in majority-Black neighborhoods are valued less by appraisers than neighborhoods with very few or no black residents. No, we’re not surprised by these results. Yes, according to the study, the reason is racism.
Does your bank ensure your appraisal is fair?
What is the cost of racial bias? The Brookings Institute report “The Devaluation of Assets in Black Neighborhood finds that owner-occupied homes in black neighborhoods are undervalued by $48,000 per home on average, amounting to $156 billion in cumulative loss. Yes, $156 billion!
Currently, there are firms working to address racism by utilizing technology to better value homes in Black communities. Ultimately the solutions will increase the appraised value of homes in Black neighborhoods to be more in line with other communities and the home value of Black communities will rise by $156 billion!
Today, lower values represent an opportunity to buy low…and hold.
There are many reasons to buy and/or hold property in urban communities. Your home is your castle. It’s the place that protects you and your family. It’s the place that feeds your soul…where everyone knows and appreciates your strengths and helps you overcome any challenges. Buying in an urban community also gives you an opportunity to benefit when property values rise.
There are many tools available to help you become a homeowner. OneUnited Bank offers the UNITY Visa Secured Credit Card to help rebuild credit. We also focus on financial literacy with our free online Financial Education Center. OneUnited Bank has financed over $1 billion in home loans and multifamily loans, largely in low to moderate income communities. We offer home loans in Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.
On February 29, 2020, we will hold the OneUnited Bank Homebuyers Fair at our Miami office, 3275 NW 79th Street, Miami, FL 33147. With our Breeze through 2020 Home Loan Program, your appraisal and credit report fees are on us! In 2020, see yourself clearly in a new home! Turn your tax refund into your future castle today!
