14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America's Favorite Investment

Quick gut check. Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds?

It's real estate. And it has been for 14 years straight.

New data from Gallup shows that Americans aren't just saying homeownership is a smart move — they're feeling better about it than they have in a long time. Here's why that matters, especially if you're thinking about buying or selling in Colorado Springs.

Real Estate Takes the Top Spot — Again

Every year, Gallup asks Americans to name the best long-term investment. For the 14th year in a row, real estate came out on top, beating stocks, gold, and everything else.

Think about everything that's happened over those 14 years — rising rates, market swings, a global pandemic, election cycles, you name it. Through all of it, Americans kept picking real estate. That kind of consistency tells you something about how people view homeownership.

As Michelle Egan from JPMorgan Chase puts it: "Owning a home has long been considered one of the most reliable ways to build wealth. Beyond providing shelter, a home is a valuable asset that can appreciate over time, build equity, and serve as a financial resource for generations."

You may have seen chatter online saying home prices are falling. Nationally, prices are still rising — just at a slower pace than a few years ago. Some local markets are seeing small dips, but those are tiny compared to how much values have grown over the past five years. Historically, home prices almost always rise over time. As long as you plan to stay for a reasonable stretch, you're building equity.

Right here in Colorado Springs, we've seen that firsthand. Homes in established neighborhoods like Briargate, Broadmoor, and Woodmoor have held strong, and buyers who purchased even two or three years ago are already sitting on solid equity gains.

More People Say Buying Beats Renting

Here's something interesting: confidence in homeownership is actually rising again.

According to Bank of America's latest Homebuyer Insights Report, 53% of people now say it's better to buy a home than to rent or move in with family. That's the first time buying has taken the lead since 2023.

And the numbers behind that are striking:

• 90% of people say a home is a valuable investment, up from 79% just last year.
• 94% say owning a home provides stability, up from 83% the year prior.

Those are significant jumps in a short time. In a market like Colorado Springs — where rental prices have climbed alongside home prices — the math increasingly favors buying for anyone planning to stick around for a few years.

It's About More Than Money

Affordability is still tight. We won't pretend otherwise. But that hasn't changed how people feel about homeownership as a goal, because it was never just about the money.

A home pays you back in ways a brokerage account never could. As Sheharyar Bokhari from Redfin says: "For many homeowners, a home is more than a place to sleep and store belongings — it's a reflection of who they are. Homeownership can help people put down roots, build relationships and create a space that feels uniquely their own."

We've seen that over and over in our 24+ years here. The families who buy their first home in Colorado Springs. The military couples relocating to Monument or Falcon who finally put down roots after years of moving. The investors who build long-term wealth, one property at a time.

The Bottom Line

Fourteen years straight, Americans have called real estate the best long-term investment. Confidence in owning a home is climbing. And here in Colorado Springs, the fundamentals remain strong — job growth, military presence, lifestyle demand, and limited inventory.

If you've been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, let's talk about it. Every situation is different, and we'd love to help you figure out what makes sense for yours.