The Surprising Amount of Home Equity You’ve Gained over the Years
There are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house. And as you weigh your options, you may find you’re unsure how you’re going to deal with one thing about today’s housing market – and that’s affordability. If that’s your biggest concern, understanding how much equity you have in your house could help make your decision that much easier. Here are two key factors that have a big impact on your equity.
First up is homeowner tenure. That’s how long homeowners live in a house, on average, before selling or choosing to move. From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed put was roughly six years.
But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number has been climbing. Now, the average tenure is 10 years (see graph below):
Here’s why that’s such a big deal. You gain equity as you pay down your home loan and as home prices climb. And when you combine all of your mortgage payments with how much prices have gone up over the span of 10 years, that adds up. So, if you’ve lived in your house for a while now, you may be sitting on a pile of equity.
To help show how much the price appreciation piece adds up, take a look at this data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) (see graph below):
Here’s what this means for you. While home prices vary by area, the typical homeowner who’s been in their house for five years saw it increase in value by nearly 60%. And the average homeowner who’s owned their home for 30 years saw it more than triple in value in that time.
Whether you’re looking to downsize, relocate to a dream destination, or move so you can live closer to friends or loved ones, your equity can be a game changer.
If you want to find out how much equity you’ve built up over the years and how you can use it to buy your next home, let’s connect.
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The Home Run Team, Ltd. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. The Home Run Team, Ltd. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
As you’re getting ready to sell your house, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is, “how long is this going to take?” And that makes sense.
If your goal is to sell your house in 2025, now’s the time to start prepping.
Homes are still selling faster than before the pandemic after almost 5 years.
Whether you're thinking of buying or selling, here’s a look at what the experts are saying and how it might impact your move.
You may be torn between buying a home now and waiting. But don't forget to factor in the equity you'll gain as prices rise.
If you're looking to get your house on the market, here's what you need to start prepping.
Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall.
There's a lot of options for how to make down payments, but if you're looking for benefits, using your equity is the move.
The experts forecasts for mortgage rates are in; here's what they're predicting for next year.
We're here to help people live wealthier lives and enjoy more freedom by educating and guiding them through their lifelong real estate journey. Whether you're buying a home, looking to sell or relocate, or are an investor, we can help you. No agents will work harder for you, because to us, going to bat for you, isn't work. That's just what you do when you're a team.