Mortgage
One of the benefits of being a homeowner is that you build equity over time. By selling your house, that equity can be used toward purchasing your next home. But before you can put it to use, you should understand exactly what equity is and how it grows. Bankrate explains it like this:
“Home equity is the portion of your home you’ve paid off – in other words, your stake in the property as opposed to the lender’s. In practical terms, home equity is the appraised value of your home minus any outstanding mortgage and loan balances.”
If you’ve owned your home for a while, you’ve likely built up some equity – and you may not even realize how much. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and ATTOM, the majority of Americans have a substantial amount of equity right now (see graph below):
And having such large amounts of equity is a benefit to homeowners in more ways than one. Rick Sharga, Executive Vice President of Market Intelligence at ATTOM, explains:
“Record levels of home equity provide security for millions of families, and minimize the chance of another housing market crash like the one we saw in 2008.”
Over time, your home equity grows. In addition to providing financial stability while you own your house, when you’re ready to sell it, that money could go a long way toward paying for your next home.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
Over time, home values usually grow – and that means a homeowner’s net worth does too
Here’s what the latest forecasts show.
With less competition and serious buyers on the hunt, you’ll be in a great position
To make sure you’re considering all your options and making the best choice possible, let's have a conversation.
Experts agree the share of homes bought by investors is declining
At this time of year, your home can really stand out.
There are actions you can take that could help you set yourself up for success
It’s important to plan carefully and make sure all parties are clear on the details
Most homeowners are in a strong position
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.