Breaking the Cycle, Not the Bank
If you are Black and dreaming of homeownership, you have probably heard it all.
"It is impossible."
"You will never save enough."
"The system is not built for us."
Some of those fears are rooted in reality. I am not here to sugarcoat anything. But what I have been learning, while walking through this industry myself, is that homeownership is not just possible. It is powerful. You just need the real story, not some surface-level advice from folks who are not even thinking about us.
The Wealth Gap is Real, But So is the Opportunity
The racial wealth gap is not made up. It is facts. Black households hold only about 5.9 percent of total housing wealth, despite being nearly 12 percent of U.S. households. (Source: Urban Institute, 2023)
This is exactly why owning is a game-changer. It is not just about shelter. It is about shifting the balance of power in your family and your future.
I will be honest. I have been diving deep into this because I refuse to just talk about Black homeownership. I want us to move into it, fully prepared.
Black Renters Are Paying More Than They Should
More than half of Black renters are considered cost-burdened, meaning you are paying more than 30 percent of your income toward rent. (Source: NAR 2025 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying)
That is wild. And yet, when I started paying attention to the numbers, I realized many of us are already paying what could easily be a mortgage. The issue is not just affordability. It is access and preparation.
Programs Exist, Even if Nobody Told You
This part? They rarely tell us. There are programs designed to help first-time Black buyers, and they are not as hard to access as you might think.
Down payment assistance
Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs)
First-time buyer tax credits
(Source: National Fair Housing Alliance)
While prepping for this year myself, I have been gathering all the resources I can because I want you to know them too. You are not locked out of this.
The Credit System is a Setup, But We Can Work It
In 2023, Black mortgage applicants had the highest denial rate at 21 percent. The reason? Mostly credit. (Source: NAR 2025 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying)
I will keep it real. The system was not built for us. But we can still beat it with knowledge and preparation. I have been studying credit patterns, denial data, and what lenders actually look for, and I will keep sharing what I learn along the way.
Owning is Still the Fastest Path to Building Wealth
Forget what social media told you. It is not crypto. It is not the latest hustle. It is property.
For Black families, homeownership has been the most consistent wealth-building tool—when we can access it.
I am learning that wealth is not just about income. It is about assets. And homeownership is still our best shot.
You Do Not Have to Go at This Alone
Community is survival. Find your people.
Whether it is a Black buyer workshop, a lender who gets it, or an agent like me who is learning and fighting alongside you, you are not walking alone. And if you need to hear it again: You deserve to own something real.
Set the Mood While You Plan
The buying process will try to shake you. Credit checks, paperwork, and doubt hit hard. That is why I always talk about atmosphere.
When I feel overwhelmed, I light up something from my Mental Riot collection. Sobering Storm? That one helps me breathe through the stress when I am reviewing market data or walking a client through hard decisions. Set the mood for your home buying process now, before the keys are even in hand.
Sherries’ Note:
This journey is not just theory for me. I am learning. I am unlearning. I am in this with you.
We are not here to beg for a seat at the table. We are here to buy the whole damn table. And when you are ready? You know where to find me.
Citations:
Urban Institute (2023) https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/black-housing-wealth-varies-across-local-markets-despite-recent-improvement-black
NAR 2025 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2025-snapshot-of-race-and-home-buying-in-america-03-17-2025.pdf
National Fair Housing Alliance
https://nationalfairhousing.org/special-purpose-credit-programs/
