New Survey Finds Cluelessness on Real Estate Investing

Apr 20, 2017

Thirty Democrat and two Independent senators have called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to explain the state of its investigation into last year’s Equifax data breach

Is real estate a good investment? According to a new survey commissioned by RealtyShares, an online marketplace for real estate investing, 40 percent of Americans did not know if stocks, real estate, commodities, bonds, or cash equivalents such as oil, gold and cotton generated the best returns since 2000. Only 16 percent of respondents believed real estate was the best performer, but 25 percent identified stocks as the best investment.

The survey, conducted online among over 2,000 adults by Harris Poll, found 64 percent of and 68 percent of women agreeing that home flipping is a good way to make money. Adults between 35 and 44 were more likely to view home flipping positively than those 45 and older (77 percent versus 60 percent), while 44 percent of men and 31 percent or women thought they would be able to complete a home flip.

“Risks are inherent with all investments, so diversification is important for any investor’s portfolio,” said Nav Athwal, CEO of RealtyShares. “That the majority of Americans haven’t tapped into real estate can speak to the lack of access that has been inherent in the industry for a long time.”

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Apr 20, 2017

Analysis and Data

Figure Says Partners More Than Doubled HELOC Volume On Its Platform

Consumer loan marketplace volume reached $4.3 billion as Figure Connect drove more production off the company’s balance sheet and helped lift adjusted margins to a record 55%

Figure Technology Solutions said mortgage partners using its platform generated substantially more home equity lending volume than their previous production would have predicted, adding an originator-level measure to a quarter marked by rapid marketplace growth and record pr...

People On The Move

eLEND Names Avi Marcus Chief Legal Officer

Marcus will oversee legal strategy and corporate governance as the lender expands its use of AI, automation, and digital mortgage technology

American Financial Resources LLC, which does business as eLEND, has appointed Avi Marcus chief legal officer and corporate secretary.Marcus brings more than 15 years of executive legal experience across mortgage lending, real estate, financial services, and technology. He ha...

Nov

Houston, TX

More from

Industry News

July CPI Eases Mortgage-Rate Risk, But Doesn’t Promise Relief

Consumer inflation rose just 0.1% in July, reducing pressure for a September Fed rate hike as mortgage rates remain near their highest levels of the year

Industry News

Aug 13, 2026

The Fed Held. The Mortgage Market Got A Warning.

Three policymakers favored an immediate hike, while Warsh welcomed higher bond yields and offered no clear path toward mortgage-rate relief

Industry News

Jul 30, 2026

New Study Finds UWM's 'All-In' Triggered Industrywide Pricing Spillovers

Research shows wholesale competitors responded to the 2021 Rocket ban by lowering mortgage rates,

Industry News

Jul 15, 2026

First Major Housing Reform In Decades Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature

Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act advances supply, construction, and mortgage reforms despite White House protest