Buying a home has long been part of the American dream, but many recent buyers are finding that keeping up with the monthly mortgage payment takes far more than they expected.
A new report from mortgage verification platform Truework found that 88% of recent homebuyers with a mortgage say at least one common financial setback could jeopardize their ability to make their monthly payment. A job loss, a major home repair or an unexpected medical bill could all push their finances to the brink.
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The findings come from a survey of 1,000 Americans who purchased a home within the past 24 months. The report suggests many buyers entered the market believing they could refinance once interest rates fell. With that relief still out of reach, many households continue to make sacrifices just to stay current on their mortgage.
Buyers Are Banking on Lower Rates
Refinancing has become a key part of many homeowners’ financial plans. According to the survey, 85% of buyers with a mortgage said refinancing within the next three years is important to their financial health. Nearly three-quarters, or 73%, said they expected to refinance when they first bought their home, while half admitted their mortgage would become financially unsustainable without a lower interest rate.
Those expectations have changed how families spend their money. Sixty-four percent said they have cut back on dining out. More than half have reduced travel, while 49% are spending less on hobbies. Nearly one-third said they have even trimmed spending on essentials such as food, clothing, health care and hygiene to keep making their mortgage payments.
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Many people still like the long-term wealth-building potential of real estate but do not want the financial strain or day-to-day responsibilities that come with owning rental property.
Arrived offers another way to invest. Instead of buying an entire home, investors can purchase fractional shares in professionally selected rental properties while Arrived handles tenant communication, maintenance and the ongoing management.
The company chooses properties with the goal of generating rental income and appreciating over time, allowing investors to earn monthly dividends without becoming hands-on landlords. Start investing in real estate through Arrived with just a few clicks and let the company handle the rest.
Housing Costs Are Reshaping Financial Decisions
The survey found that 67% of recent buyers said losing a job or taking a pay cut would put their mortgage payment at serious risk. If refinancing does not happen within the next three years, many expect the pressure to grow. Forty-six percent said they would need to cut spending significantly. Another 40% said they would need a second job, while 25% would have to find a higher-paying position. Twenty-two percent said they would rely on credit cards, and 21% would dip into retirement savings.
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Mortgage costs are also changing plans that have nothing to do with housing. Among buyers who have already reduced spending because of their mortgage, 17% have considered delaying a job change. Sixteen percent have thought about postponing plans to start a business. Fourteen percent have delayed retirement, while 13% have considered waiting longer before having children.
Truework describes this trend as “Conditional Affordability.” The report says that many buyers can afford today’s payment only by cutting spending elsewhere or counting on a future refinance. It serves as a reminder that qualifying for a mortgage and comfortably sustaining one over the long haul are two different things.
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Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market
Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.
Arrived
Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.
Realberry
Institutional-quality real estate has traditionally been difficult for individual investors to access. Realberry gives accredited investors direct access to private real estate opportunities backed by a team with 35 years of experience, $3.4 billion in assets under management, and $481 million in cumulative distributions paid to investors as of Q4 2025, according to the company. With a portfolio spanning 13 million square feet across seven U.S. states, Realberry focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing real estate with an emphasis on long-term value creation while its principals often invest alongside clients to help align interests.
FarmTogether
Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000 — fully managed, with no landlord headaches.
Immersed
Immersed is building technology for the future of work through spatial computing. Known for its AR/VR productivity platform that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens, the company has grown to more than 1.5 million users worldwide. Immersed is also developing Visor, a lightweight headset designed specifically for professional productivity, positioning the company at the intersection of remote work, extended reality (XR), and next-generation computing.
Fundrise
Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth.
Mode Mobile
Mode Mobile is changing the way people interact with their phones by letting users earn money from the same apps and activities they already use every day. Instead of platforms keeping all the advertising revenue, Mode Mobile shares a portion back with users who engage with content, play games, and scroll on their devices. Named one of Deloitte’s fastest-growing software companies in North America, the company has built a large beta user base and is scaling a model that turns everyday smartphone usage into a potential income stream.
EquityMultiple
For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000, with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.
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