Los Angeles Real Estate Report

Barrentine Group

Blog—October 16, 2023

Benefits of Owning Your First Home

Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers…

Benefits of Owning Your First Home

Free Download

How to Sell a Historic Los Angeles Home

A step-by-step guide covering pricing, marketing, preparation, and disclosure — written by John Barrentine with 33 years of LA experience.

Download Free Guide →

Quick Answer

Benefits of Owning Your First Home?

Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers…

Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers by PulteGroup:

While that survey looked specifically at first-time homebuyers buying newly built homes, the same sentiment is true for just about anyone buying their first home. Here’s a bit more information to help you think about those two benefits of homeownership to see if they’re a key factor for you too.

When You Buy a Home, You Have More Stability than When You Rent

You might want to stop renting because rents keep going up. If you’re a renter, that means there’s a chance your payment will increase each time you sign a new rental agreement or renew your current one.

On the other hand, when you buy your home with a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly housing payment is predictable over the length of that loan. This stability can give you a peace of mind that renting just can’t provide. Jeff Ostrowski, real estate journalist, breaks it down:

When You Buy a Home, You Grow Your Wealth as Home Values Climb

Beyond that, owning a home can also be a great long-term investment. While renting may be the more affordable option right now, it doesn’t provide an avenue for you to grow your wealth over time. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains that’s an important distinction to consider:

Basically, renting doesn’t allow you to build equity. In contrast, homeownership can help you grow your net worth as your home’s value appreciates. That’s a significant perk you can’t get if you keep renting.

When you take that into account, it may make better financial sense to buy. Most experts project home prices will continue to appreciate over the next few years at a pace that’s more normal for the market. That means when you buy a home, not only are you investing in a place to live, but you’re also investing in your financial future.

Bottom Line

If you're ready, it can be a smart move to buy your first home instead of renting. Let’s connect so you can stabilize your housing payment and start building wealth for your future.

About the Author

Barrentine Group is a dedicated team of real estate professionals committed to guiding clients through every step of the buying and selling process with integrity and care. Known for their expertise, innovation, and focus on consumer education, they provide trusted insight in today’s ever-changing real estate market. With a client-first philosophy and a commitment to clear communication, the Barrentine Group measures success not by accolades but by the satisfaction and lasting relationships built with the clients they proudly serve.

📍 5150 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA 90036 📞 (310) 940-9574

Thinking about buying or selling in Los Angeles? We are here to help.

Contact the team

Free Resources from Barrentine Group

Buying in LA

Buyer’s Guide + Checklists

Free PDFs — neighborhood guides, historic home checklists, market reports.

View Resources →

Selling in LA

Seller’s Guide + Pricing Strategy

Free PDFs — prep checklist, pricing guide, Q1 2026 market report.

View Resources →

Ready to buy or sell in Los Angeles? The Barrentine Group has 33+ years navigating the LA market — from probate and trust sales to historic properties in Miracle Mile, Carthay Circle, and the Wilshire corridor.

Talk to John← More Articles
Barrentine Group
KW Luxury International
REALTOR®
EQUAL HOUSING

Each office is independently owned and operated. · Copyright © 2026 Barrentine Group · Privacy Policy