Home Equity

You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down. Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life. How Much Equity Does the Typical Homeowner Have? Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your...

For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real. According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. And the latest data shows as many as 15% of those older Americans are planning to retire in 2026. And another 23% will do the same in 2027. If you’re considering retiring...

Hearing talk about home prices falling? That may leave you worried about whether your house is losing value. But here’s what you need to know. While some local markets have seen small price dips this year, home prices are not falling nationally. So, don’t let the headlines scare you. The vast majority of the country is actually seeing prices rise. While that may feel surprising after the...

A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise... For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes. Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number...

If you’ve seen headlines about home prices dropping, it’s easy to wonder what that means for the value of your home too. Here’s what you really need to know. Even with small price declines in some markets, data shows you’re likely still way ahead. And that’s thanks to your home equity. The Relationship Between Home Prices and Equity Home equity moves in sync with home prices. When...

If you’ve been thinking about downsizing to lower your expenses, be closer to family, or just make life easier, here's a trend worth paying attention to: More homeowners are buying their next house outright, without taking on a new mortgage. And, if you’ve owned your home for a while, you may be able to do the same. No mortgage. No monthly housing payments. A Record Share of Homeowners Are...

Want to know something important you probably don’t have a professional check for you nearly as often as you should? Spoiler alert: it’s the value of your home. Because here’s the reality. Your house is likely the biggest financial asset you have. And if you’ve lived in it for a few years or more, chances are it’s been quietly building wealth for you in the background – even if you...

If you're a homeowner planning to move, you're probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first: Is it better to start by finding your next home? Or should you sell your current house before you go out looking? Ultimately, what’s right for you depends on a lot of factors. And that’s where an agent’s experience can really help make your next step...

Have you been holding off on downsizing? If so, you should know your equity could make your move possible. Homeowners today have so much equity that a record number are buying their next house in all cash. And that has some big benefits like making their offer more appealing, potentially closing faster, and not having a mortgage payment. To find out how much equity you have in your current house, let's...

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve built up a lot of wealth – just by living in your house and watching its value grow over time. And that equity? It’s something that could help change your child’s life. Since affordability is still a challenge, a lot of first-time buyers are struggling to buy a home in today’s market. Even if they have a stable job and a solid plan, buying can still...