Building financial wealth and stability remains one of the top reasons Americans choose to own a home, and as
a homeowner, your wealth often grows without you even realizing it. In a recent
paper published by the Urban Institute, Home Ownership is Affordable Housing,
author Mike Loftin illustrates how homeowners increase their equity and their
wealth simply by making monthly mortgage payments:
“The principal portion that reduces the loan balance builds the homeowner’s equity. In doing so, the
principal payments behave like an automatic savings account. The principal
payment is not money going out; it is money staying in.”
But home equity – the difference between the value of your home and what you currently owe – isn’t just built
through your monthly principal payments. Home price appreciation plays a vital
role in growing your equity and, ultimately, your wealth.
As Freddie Mac explains:
“Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is
their own and an avenue for building wealth over time. This ‘wealth’ is built, in large part, through the creation of equity…Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership
that can help you create financial stability.”
Homeowners Continue To See Equity Increase
CoreLogic recently published their latest Homeowner Equity Insights Report, and it shows continued growth in
equity amidst record home price appreciation. The report provides several key takeaways, all of which point to rising wealth for homeowners:
1. The average equity gain of mortgaged homes during the past year was $33,400
2. The current average equity of mortgaged homes is greater than $216,000
3. There was a 6% increase in total homeowner equity over the past year
4. Total U.S. homeowner equity has reached nearly $1.9 trillion
Here, you can see the equity gains by state:
Equity Provides Homeowners
with Flexibility
In addition to being a critical tool in building wealth, a homeowner’s equity also provides significant
flexibility. When you sell your house, the accumulated equity comes back to you in the sale. Recent increases in home equity coupled with record-low mortgage rates mean it could be the perfect time for homeowners looking to make a move.
Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, notes:
“Existing homeowners today are sitting on record amounts of equity. As homeowners gain equity in their
homes, the temptation grows to list their current home for sale and use the equity to purchase a larger or more attractive home.”
Increasing equity also helps families facing challenges brought on by the pandemic. Frank Martell, President
and CEO of CoreLogic, explains in the recent Homeowner Equity Insights Report:
“Homeowner equity has more than doubled over the past decade and become a crucial buffer for many
weathering the challenges of the pandemic. These gains have become an important financial tool and boosted consumer confidence in the U.S. housing market, especially for older homeowners and baby boomers who’ve experienced years of price appreciation.”
Bottom Line
Home equity has always been a powerful wealth-building tool, and homeowners continue to see their financial
stability increase. Let’s connect today so you can better understand how much equity you have in your current home or if you’re ready to take the next step in building your savings as a homeowner.
Source: Real Estate with Keeping Current Matters
