Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home.

You’re scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app.

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on.

Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window.

When’s the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor’s house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now.