Is Buying A Home Still Worth It In 2026? The Real Estate Expert Helping First Time Buyers Get In

Is buying a home still worth it in 2026? In this episode of Startup Sandwich, powered by YEDI, we sit down with Rachel Oliver, real estate entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Clover Properties, to talk about homeownership, first-time buyer barriers, entrepreneurship, and building wealth through real estate. Rachel shares how cancer during pregnancy, financial uncertainty, and major family challenges changed the way she viewed time, security, and homeownership. She explains why having equity in her home became a game changer, and why she still believes owning a home can be one of the most important investments a family can make. We also discuss what happens when the banks don’t see you as mortgage-ready, how Clover Properties helps buyers overcome barriers, and why so many first-time home buyers feel stuck in today’s market. Beyond real estate, Rachel opens up about leaving the corporate world, building a business with her husband, learning how to communicate through conflict, and using setbacks as momentum. She also shares how her experience with YEDI helped her turn a real estate vision into an MVP and build Dorothy, an AI app designed to help first-time home buyers find government support programs. Startup Sandwich is powered by YEDI, a Canadian charity that supports entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and programs designed to help founders build, grow, and scale their ventures. Learn more about YEDI: https://www.yedi.ca Subscribe for more Startup Sandwich conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, innovators, and changemakers turning small bites into big wins.