Ladies and gentlemen, gather ‘round and hear this! Today, I
embark on a mission so grand, so noble, and so utterly audacious that it could
only be dreamt up in the heart of Westchester. Yes, you heard it here first: I,
your trusty realtor, am setting out to create 3 million new Black homeowners by
2030. That’s right, I’m about to turn the tides of history all by myself!
The Plan: Unshackling the Housing Market
As I channel my inner Harriet Tubman, let’s break down this master plan. Recently, CNBC reported a surge in single-family rentals due to the plummeting affordability of homes. As a share of all housing starts, single-family built-for-rent starts grew to 10% in 2023 from 5% in 2021, almost doubling in two years, according to the National Association of Realtors.
More homes to rent, but less homes to buy? Not on my watch. My strategy involves convincing every single-family rental owner in Westchester to sell their properties to deserving Black families. Yes, just like that! I’ll employ my charming negotiation skills to persuade these landlords to relinquish their steady rental income for the greater good. Because who needs passive income when you can have the joy of promoting homeownership? I’ll have my “Homeownership Declaration.” Together, we’ll emancipate the dream of homeownership from the shackles of high rents.
Midnight Manumissions: The 24/7 Realtor
In this modern-day liberation, I’ll be the tireless conductor of this real estate Underground Railroad. While mere mortals sleep, I’ll be out there, flashlight in hand, showing homes, closing deals, and sipping enough coffee to keep the entire county awake. Creating 3 million homeowners in six years is no small feat—it requires selling roughly 1,370 homes per day. But hey, who needs sleep when you’ve got a mission this epic?
Emancipating Equity: Financial Literacy and Community Support
Just as the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t immediately free every enslaved person, my plan requires more than just property transactions. It’s about financial literacy and community support. I’ll host workshops, partner with financial advisors, and advocate for policy changes. And in the spirit of Juneteenth, we’ll celebrate every new homeowner with community events that honor the history of Black resilience and freedom. Harriet Tubman once declared, “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” Similarly, I’m here to show aspiring homeowners that the path to owning a home is within their reach.
The Call to Action
Now, let’s get serious for a moment. Creating 3 million new Black homeowners isn’t just my mission—it’s a call to all of us. We need to foster community support, ensure financial education, and push for policies that make homeownership accessible to everyone. The benefits of this effort are far-reaching, impacting not just those who gain homes, but our entire economy. It’s an investment in our collective future.
So, join me in this grand endeavor. Whether you’re buying, selling, or supporting, we all have a part to play in this modern-day real estate emancipation. Because at the end of the day, a more equitable housing market is beneficial for all of us.
Stay tuned for updates on my heroic journey, and remember—your trusted realtor is here to turn those dreams of homeownership into reality. Together, we’ll make history. If you are ready to trade your rental for ownership… AskHollingsworth.
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photographer William H. Cheney, South Orange, NJ - Harriet Tubman, with rescued slaves 1885