New survey finds that, despite challenges, Mass. homeowners find financial and personal benefits from homeownership
June 24, 2026
Boston—A survey of 850 Massachusetts homeowners by the MassINC Polling Group finds that, despite issues with rising costs and a limited housing supply, homeowners feel generally positive about homeownership in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The survey results, released today in a webinar hosted by the Boston Foundation, illustrate the success of finance assistance, homebuyer education programs, and deed restrictions in helping households from a variety of racial, economic, and geographic backgrounds achieve homeownership.
“The Massachusetts housing market provides several challenges that put home purchases out of reach for too many families, but the survey shows that for those who make the leap to homeownership, the benefits are both personal and financial,” said Rich Parr, Vice President at MassINC Polling Group. “That said, the data also suggests real opportunity in investing in programs for both homebuyers and homeowners to support smoother paths for more Massachusetts families to own and maintain homes across the Commonwealth.”
The survey found that 88 percent of households were satisfied with being a homeowner, and nearly three in four said that homeownership has helped their financial stability. Respondents most often cited pride in ownership and housing and financial stability as reasons they were satisfied, while also noting the benefits of having more control over their living space, and an opportunity to build wealth.
Homeowners also said that down payment and other financial assistance programs, as well as homebuyer education classes, provided a positive impact to them. Those who took part in such programs were consistently more likely to say they had a sense of pride and accomplishment and were able to use their home as an opportunity to build wealth, while being much less likely to say they felt at risk of foreclosure.
“Buying a home is far more than a financial transaction for most families. A home is a source of stability, an investment in a family’s future, and an asset that can provide families with intergenerational wealth,” said Courtney Brunson, Director of Economic Equity Initiatives at the Boston Foundation. “The survey shows that relatively small investments – like helping a family with a down payment – are valuable and effective resources for strengthening our communities.”
The journey to homeownership, however, was not easy for many families. About half of homeowners say it took them more than six months to find a home, with the challenges of saving for a down payment, high home prices, and a competitive and limited housing market all creating barriers. Younger homebuyers, in particular, highlighted the high cost of homes, with two-thirds of those aged 18-44 citing cost as a barrier for their purchase. Fewer than half of the buyers in the survey said they bought a home in their first-choice neighborhood, including just one-third of buyers in the state’s Gateway Cities.
The survey also highlighted a potential new opportunity: investments in helping current homeowners keep and protect their homes as an asset. 29 percent of homeowners in the survey said they skipped or delayed paying for basic needs because of their home costs, and 35 percent said they delayed urgent home repairs. More than half of the homeowners who applied for a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance did so to pay for home repairs or renovations.
And when it comes to managing a home as an intergenerational asset, only 21 percent of homeowners said they had any kind of legal arrangements in place, such as a will, trust, or life estate deed, outlining what will happen to their home after their death. Homeowners above the age of 45 were more likely to have plans in place, but more than half said they had no post-death legal or estate plan, potentially complicating the transfer of what is likely their largest asset to their heirs.
Several partners in the development and distribution of the survey also commented on the findings:
Rachel Heller, Executive Director, Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP)
“MHP is proud to have partnered with lenders and organizations to assist more than 26,000 first-time homebuyers who would have otherwise been priced out of the market. Homeownership is more than an address, and this survey shows that with the right supports and access, more Massachusetts families can realize the benefits of financial stability, wealth generation, and investment in their communities. MHP is committed to expanding access to more families through our ONE, ONE+, and ONE+Boston mortgages.”
Eric Shupin, Chief Executive Officer, Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)
“This report confirms that expanding affordable homeownership opportunities and strengthening down payment assistance programs are critical to ensuring that people across the Commonwealth can put down roots, build equity, and create generational wealth. When we invest in helping first-time homebuyers access homeownership, we are investing in stronger communities, a more equitable economy, and greater opportunity for all in Massachusetts.”
Keith Fairey, President & CEO, Way Finders
“This survey reinforces what we see every day—homeownership remains one of the most powerful pathways to long-term financial stability and generational wealth. Targeted investments in down payment assistance, homebuyer education, and ongoing homeowner support are essential to ensure more families in communities across western MA, where we serve, can access and sustain homeownership.”
Symone Crawford, Executive Director, Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance (MAHA)
“This survey confirms what we see every day at MAHA: that with the right support, homeownership remains achievable and transformative for Massachusetts families. Programs like down payment assistance and homebuyer education aren't just helpful; they're proven pathways to financial stability and generational wealth. However, while this survey is encouraging proof that homeownership programs work, it also sounds an alarm; when a third of homeowners are delaying urgent repairs and only one in five has any estate plan in place, we are one crisis away from losing the wealth families worked so hard to build. Massachusetts must move beyond modest investments and commit to the scale of funding that matches the scale of the need.”
Robert Corley, CEO, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions
“We were proud to participate in this extensive survey, which confirmed the ongoing challenges of rising costs and housing affordability while also highlighting emerging pressures for homeowners. In particular, the growing cost of maintaining a home underscores the need for stronger home repair loan and grant programs to help families avoid taking on high-interest debt and protect the long-term value of their most important asset.”
Jason Andrade, CFP® - Director of Research and Membership Engagement, Partnership for Financial Equity
"To keep the pathway open for first-generation and first-time homebuyers, we must continue to leverage the power of the Community Reinvestment Act to drive intentional investment. Our members at PFE support robust downpayment assistance and proven products like MHP's ONE Mortgage program, that ensure access to homeownership for low- and moderate-income borrowers. This unprecedented survey makes the point that these investments are working.”
Elise Rapoza, Senior Research Associate, MassINC Policy Center
“These findings show that homeownership continues to offer families financial stability, pride, and the opportunity to build wealth, but they also underscore a larger challenge: Massachusetts needs more attainable homes for first-time buyers to purchase. Assistance programs are helping families get across the finish line, but they cannot substitute for a much stronger commitment to expanding entry-level ownership opportunities, including newly built homes and renovated homes in communities where an aging housing stock creates additional costs for homebuyers.”
About the Poll:
Results are based on a survey of 850 Massachusetts homeowners with broad geographic representation across the state.
The survey was conducted April 20–May 17, 2026, using online survey distribution via email lists from partnering organizations Asian CDC, Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association, Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, Urban Edge, and Way Finders. The survey was offered in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.