Franklin

The Death of the Home Ownership Myth For decades, the American dream came with a white picket fence and a 30-year fixed mortgage. We were told that buying a home was the ultimate sign of financial maturity. Today, that narrative is crumbling. With housing prices detaching from reality and interest rates hovering at levels unseen by a generation of buyers, the primary residence has shifted from a wealth-building tool to a lifestyle liability. If you are looking at a house in 2026, you aren't just buying a roof; you are buying a massive overhead that could tether you to a sinking ship. The College Degree Parallel There is a startling similarity between the current housing market and the student loan crisis. Just as millions were told a college degree was the only path to success—only to end up with $50,000 in debt and a job unrelated to their major—homebuyers are now being pushed into mortgages they don't need. Rents are becoming increasingly attractive compared to the heavy carrying costs of ownership. We are entering an era where mobility is the ultimate currency. If you aren't intentional about your purchase, you risk being "saddled" with an illiquid asset that prevents you from chasing the next big market disruption. Intentionality Over Tradition Success in this market requires a move away from