{"id":246922,"date":"2026-05-28T21:25:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/246922\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T21:25:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:25:10","slug":"why-homeownership-is-a-wealth-building-strategy-within-your-reach-an-interview-with-realtor-rasheedah-brown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/246922\/","title":{"rendered":"Why homeownership is a wealth-building strategy within your reach: An interview with Realtor Rash\u00e9edah Brown\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rash\u00e9edah Brown<\/a>, known as \u201cRB the Realtor,\u201d is dedicated to helping New Yorkers achieve their real estate goals. \u201cI have spent years giving back to the community through educating others about the home ownership process and how to effectively manage property once you become an owner,\u201d said Brown, who has been in the business since 2004.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Describing herself as a real estate resource, community motivator, and ecosystem builder, Brown is principal broker and owner of KEE Signature Realty, an appointed member of the New York State Real Estate Board, and founder of the KEE Path Foundation. \u201cI provide real estate coaching for aspiring Realtors and investors, and consult with current and future owners on how to produce a profitable property,\u201d she said. \u201cHaving great relationships with fellow leaders in the real estate industry allows me to provide resources to make any real estate transaction easy for all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how Brown makes a difference in so many peoples\u2019 lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Q: What inspired your commitment to increasing homeownership in underserved communities?<\/p>\n

A: What really inspired me is what I saw growing up and what I continue to see today: so many people working hard, paying rent every single month, but not building anything for themselves long-term. I realized early on that ownership is the difference. Ownership changes the trajectory of a family.<\/p>\n

When I bought my first property, I understood that real estate wasn\u2019t just about having a place to live \u2014 it was about having leverage, options, and the ability to build something that could last beyond you. That\u2019s what pushed me to make this my mission. I want people in our communities to know that ownership is possible, and not just possible, but necessary if we\u2019re talking about generational wealth.<\/p>\n

Q: What do you share with community members about the advantages of home ownership versus long-term renting?<\/p>\n

A: I always keep it real. Renting is important \u2014 it gives you flexibility \u2014 but ownership gives you control and opportunity.<\/p>\n

When you own, your payment is going toward something that belongs to you. You\u2019re building equity. You have the ability to leverage your property, generate income, and create stability for your family.<\/p>\n

I also talk about strategy. Homeownership isn\u2019t just about buying a house \u2014 it\u2019s about how you use it, whether that\u2019s a multifamily, renting out a unit, or just positioning yourself to grow over time. Renting is a cost. Ownership is an investment.<\/p>\n

Q: How do you help everyday folks begin building a real estate portfolio, even with limited resources?<\/p>\n

A: I start by changing the mindset. A lot of people think you need a lot of money to start, and that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n

I teach people how to start with what they have. That might be:<\/p>\n

Buying a multifamily and living in one unit<\/p>\n

Partnering with someone<\/p>\n

Using income strategically to qualify<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about understanding that your first property doesn\u2019t have to be your dream home \u2014 it can be your stepping stone. Once people understand that, everything opens up.<\/p>\n

Q: What resources and programs are you currently working with to educate and prepare renters to become homebuyers?<\/p>\n

A: I work closely with community-based organizations like HCCI to make sure people are getting real education, not just surface-level information.<\/p>\n

Through events, workshops, and our Real Estate Expo, we\u2019re connecting people to:<\/p>\n

Homeownership counseling<\/p>\n

Financial literacy tools<\/p>\n

Lenders and professionals who can guide them properly<\/p>\n

We\u2019re creating spaces where people can ask questions, get clarity, and actually move forward with confidence.<\/p>\n

Q: What does helping people become homebuyers mean to you on a personal level \u2014 what is your why that inspires you to do this work?<\/p>\n

A: My \u201cwhy\u201d is really about impact.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen what happens when someone goes from renting to owning. It changes how they think, how they move, how they see their future. It creates pride, stability, and opportunity.<\/p>\n

For me, it\u2019s bigger than a transaction. It\u2019s about helping someone take control of their future and create something for their family. That\u2019s what keeps me going.<\/p>\n

Q: How does the next generation benefit from the work you\u2019re doing with the community right now?<\/p>\n

A: The next generation benefits because we\u2019re changing what they see as normal. When children grow up seeing ownership, hearing conversations about investing, and understanding how money works, it shifts everything. It becomes part of their mindset.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re not just helping people buy homes. We\u2019re creating a culture of ownership that will impact generations.<\/p>\n

Q: Can you share a success story of someone who worked with you and used the guidance and resources you provide to become a homeowner?<\/p>\n

A: One story that really stays with me is a first-time homebuyer who was a single parent and had just come out of a really tough time in life. When they first came to me, they weren\u2019t sure if homeownership was even possible. There was a lot of uncertainty, but also a real desire to create something better \u2014 for themselves and for their child.<\/p>\n

We took it step by step. We put a plan in place, connected them with the right resources, and stayed consistent through the process. Over time, things started to come together. They were able to get pre-approved and ultimately purchase a multifamily home.<\/p>\n

What made this even more powerful is that the property allowed them to generate rental income, so not only did they become a homeowner, but their monthly expenses actually ended up being lower than what they were paying in rent before.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t just a home purchase \u2014 it was a complete shift. It created stability, confidence, and a new level of opportunity not just for them, but for their child as well. That\u2019s the part that really matters to me: helping people change their situation in a real, lasting way.\u00a0<\/p>\n

OUTTAKES FROM MAY INTERVIEW\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 How does FM Home Loans help potential homebuyers navigate through challenges or financial barriers that might make the process more difficult?<\/p>\n

What I appreciate about FM Home Loans is that they don\u2019t just look at people as numbers \u2014 they actually take the time to understand their situation.<\/p>\n

A lot of people think they\u2019re not ready, but they just need guidance. FM helps break things down \u2014 credit, income, structuring deals \u2014 and they work with buyers to create a path, not just give a yes or no. They also help connect buyers to the right programs and opportunities that can make homeownership more accessible. It\u2019s about education and strategy, not just approvals.<\/p>\n

\u2022 What is unique and most effective about how FM Home Loans equips people to achieve their homeownership dreams?<\/p>\n

FM Home Loans meets people where they are. They don\u2019t just focus on the end result \u2014 they focus on the process. They educate, they strategize, and they help people understand what\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what makes the difference. When people understand the process, they feel empowered \u2014 and when they feel empowered, they move forward.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rash\u00e9edah Brown, known as \u201cRB the Realtor,\u201d is dedicated to helping New Yorkers achieve their real estate goals.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":246923,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[128,9,24,63,129,131,130],"class_list":["post-246922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-the-bronx","tag-bronx","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-the-bronx","tag-the-bronx-headlines","tag-the-bronx-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246922\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}