Have you ever stopped to think about how much wealth you’ve built up just from being a homeowner? As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — maybe even more than you realize.What Is Home Equity?Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $500,000 and you still owe $200,000 on your home loan, you have … [Read more...]
Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market
Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible.That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market. In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. … [Read more...]
How Home Equity May Help You Buy Your Next Home in Cash
Building equity in your house is one of the biggest financial advantages of homeownership. And right now, homeowners across the country are sitting on record amounts of it.Here’s a look at how that equity could be a game changer for you, and why it’ll flip your perspective from “Why would I move right now?” to “Why wouldn’t I?”Home Equity: What Is It?Home equity is the difference between how much your house is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is valued at $400,000 and … [Read more...]
Why Today’s Mortgage Debt Isn’t a Sign of a Housing Market Crash
One major reason why we’re not heading toward a foreclosure crisis is the high level of equity homeowners have today. Unlike in the last housing bubble, where many homeowners owed more than their homes were worth, today’s homeowners have far more equity than debt.That’s a big part of the reason why even though mortgage debt is at an all-time high, this isn’t 2008 all over again. As Bill McBride, Housing Analyst for Calculated Risk, explains:“With the recent house price increases, some people are worried about a new … [Read more...]
The Big Difference Between Renter and Homeowner Net Worth
Some HighlightsIf you’re torn between renting or buying, don’t forget to factor in the wealth-building power of homeownership.Unlike renters, homeowners gain equity as they pay their mortgage and as home values rise. That’s why, on average, a homeowner’s net worth is nearly 40x higher than a renter’s. Connect with an agent if you want to learn more about the financial benefits of homeownership or the programs that can help make buying possible. … [Read more...]
Why Buying Now Is Worth It
Some HighlightsYou may be torn between buying a home now or waiting. But don’t forget to factor in the equity you’ll gain as prices rise.Experts forecast prices will climb over the next 5 years – and based on those forecasts, you could gain about $90k in equity in that time.So, you could wait, but you’ll miss out on a lot of equity if you do. If you’re ready and able to buy, let’s connect so you can start growing your wealth now. … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment
Did you know? Homeowners are often able to put more money down when they buy their next home. That’s because, once they sell, they can use the equity they have in their current house toward their next down payment. And it’s why as home equity reaches a new height, the median down payment has too.According to the latest data from Redfin, the typical down payment for U.S. homebuyers is $67,500—that’s nearly 15% more than last year, and the highest on record (see graph below):Here’s why equity makes this possible. … [Read more...]
Now’s the Time To Upgrade to Your Dream Home
If you’ve been wanting to sell your house and move up to a bigger or nicer home, you’re not alone. A recent Inman survey reveals the top motivator for today’s homebuyers is the desire for more space or an upgraded home (see graph below):But there’s also a good chance you, like many other people, have been holding off on that goal because of recent market challenges. It makes sense – when you’re planning an upgrade that could increase your monthly housing costs, affordability has a huge impact on when you make your … [Read more...]
Why Buying Now May Be Worth It in the Long Run
Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days. And while what’s right for you is going to depend on a lot of different factors, here’s something you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.As soon as you buy, you’ll start gaining equity. And you’d be surprised how quickly that can add up – even with more moderate home price appreciation.Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks over one hundred economists, real estate … [Read more...]
What Every Homeowner Should Know About Their Equity
Curious about selling your home? Understanding how much equity you have is the first step to unlocking what you can afford when you move. And since home prices rose so much over the past few years, most people have much more equity than they may realize.Here’s a deeper look at what you need to know if you’re ready to cash in on your investment and put your equity toward your next home.Home Equity: What Is It and How Much Do You Have?Home equity is the difference between how much your house is worth and how much you … [Read more...]
