Why Understanding This Holiday Still Matters in Today’s Housing Market

Let’s have a real conversation.

You may know Juneteenth as the day slavery finally ended in the U.S.—June 19, 1865, when Union troops rolled into Galveston, Texas, and let the last group of enslaved people know they were free. That’s two and a half YEARS after the Emancipation Proclamation.

But here’s what most people don’t talk about:
Freedom was promised. Ownership was not.

The Roots of the Wealth Gap Were Built in Brick

After slavery ended, there were no reparations. No land. No compensation. No real “freedom” in the economic sense. In fact, while Black Americans were technically free, they were systematically locked out of land ownership—the single biggest wealth-building opportunity in this country.

Let that sink in.

And it didn’t stop there. From redlining to restrictive covenants, from GI Bills that excluded Black veterans to urban renewal policies that bulldozed Black neighborhoods, our real estate system was designed — on purpose — to widen the gap.

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about facts.

And as real estate professionals, homeowners, investors, and entrepreneurs we can’t ignore it.

What Juneteenth Means Today in the Housing Market

Today, homeownership is still one of the most powerful paths to generational wealth. But the average white family in the U.S. has nearly 10x the wealth of the average Black family. Why?

Because real estate compounds.

The gap isn’t about working harder. It’s about who had a head start.

Here’s why it matters:

• In South Carolina, minority buyers are more likely to be first-generation homeowners.
• The approval rate for mortgages is still lower for Black and Hispanic applicants—even with similar income and credit.
• Many communities are still priced out of appreciating zip codes due to lack of resources or early access to opportunity.

What You Can Do — Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Investing
This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a call to action.

If you’re a buyer:
→ Get educated. Know your rights. Work with agents who understand how to navigate lending, grants, and programs designed to level the playing field.

If you’re an investor:
→ Build your portfolio with intention. Don’t just chase margins — invest in neighborhoods. Restore, don’t extract!

If you’re in the industry:
→ Speak up! Share facts! Stop pretending the gap doesn’t exist just because you haven’t experienced it!

This Juneteenth, I challenge us to do more than post a quote or share a flag.

Let’s make space.
Let’s educate.
Let’s bridge the gap with action—not just words.

Real estate has created more millionaires than any other industry in America. Let’s make sure the doors are open for everyone.

DM me “GAP” if you want a free resource guide I’ve built for first-time buyers, especially those navigating barriers in the market.

Follow this page — because next week, I’m breaking down how federal housing policy helped build the gap, and how smart buyers can still win today.

Because when we know better, we buy smarter.

Always rooting for you,

Evangeline Raiskaya | Ramos Property Team

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