NAR: Majority of Metros Experiencing Widening Inequality

Over 90 percent of metro areas have experienced declining homeownership rates at a time when home values have risen and incomes have remained flat.

PALM COAST, FL – May 10, 2015 – Rising home prices in many metro areas have helped homeowners build housing wealth in recent years, but the continued decline in homeownership means the gains are going to fewer people and likely leading to worsening inequality in the U.S., according to new research from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

NAR reviewed data on homeownership rates, changes in single-family median home prices and a measure of inequality (the Gini Index) between 2010 and 2013 to estimate wealth and income inequality in 100 of the largest metropolitan statistical areas across the U.S.

The findings reveal that over 90 percent of metro areas have experienced declining homeownership rates at a time when home values have risen and incomes have remained flat. According to the study, wealth distribution is seen as most unequal in metro areas with the lowest homeownership rates, including high-cost areas such as Los Angeles, New York and San Diego.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says home prices have steadily recovered in most metro areas in the past five years, providing a boost of $5 trillion in housing wealth (from the downturn's cyclical low) for homeowners during this time.

"Homeownership plays a pivotal role in the U.S. economy and has historically been one of the primary sources of wealth accumulation for middle class families," he said. "Unfortunately, due to an underperforming labor market, insufficient housing supply and overly-stringent underwriting standards since the recession, homeownership has plunged to a rate not seen in over two decades. As a result, the country has become more unequal as the number of homeowners has fallen while the number of renters has significantly risen."

Yun says the inability for renter households to become homeowners is leaving them behind financially. A typical homeowner's net worth climbs because of upticks in home values and declining mortgage balances. On the other hand, renters have likely seen increased rental housing costs and are less likely to have been active investors in the stock market's strong growth in recent years.

NAR's study examined intensifying or lessoning inequality by measuring the change in the number of owners and renters during the recent period of rising home values. The findings show that an overwhelming 93 out of 100 analyzed markets experienced a declining homeownership rate from 2010 to 2013.

Because renters typically have much lower net worth than homeowners, a metro area's low homeownership rate is associated with greater wealth inequality. As a result, Los Angeles; New York; Las Vegas; Fresno, Calif.; and San Diego were found to have the most unequal wealth distribution.

"Changes in wealth during this period are especially profound in high cost metro areas that have seen robust price growth," adds Yun. "For instance, a typical homeowner in San Jose, Calif., enjoyed an increase of $210,671 in housing wealth while renters were left behind and likely exposed to annual rent increases."

In addition to looking at housing wealth, the study also analyzed the same metro areas against the Gini Index – a commonly used measure of inequality – to highlight the fact that both wealth and income inequality are intensifying throughout the country. According to the data, 93 out of the 100 reviewed metro areas show a rising index – which indicates growing inequality. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.; New York; Miami; and New Orleans were found to have the most unequal distribution of income.

"The decline in homeownership has serious implications for our economy and is currently leading to a more unequal America," says Yun. "Although better economic conditions should eventually open the door for more prospective buyers, improving access to mortgage products to creditworthy borrowers and ramping up new home construction – especially to entry-level buyers – will help ensure the opportunity is there for more American households to enjoy the potential wealth benefits and long-term stability homeownership provides."

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