Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

By David Janssen — Janssen Realty Group

Is It Even a Good Time to Sell?

A lot of homeowners are asking the same question right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And for many, the answer may come as a surprise.

For a large number of homeowners, the answer is yes — because of one powerful advantage working in their favor: home equity.

If you’ve owned your home for several years, there’s a strong chance you’ve built up significantly more equity than you realize. And that equity can completely change what’s possible when it comes to selling your current home and making your next move.

The Hidden Wealth of Homeownership

Home equity is built in two primary ways.

First, every mortgage payment you make reduces your loan balance, increasing the portion of the home you own outright. Second, home values tend to rise over time, which increases the overall value of your property.

When you combine mortgage paydown with appreciation, you’re building wealth automatically — month after month and year after year.

This becomes especially powerful for homeowners who’ve lived in their homes for a long time, which many people have. According to Realtor.com:

“Nearly half (45.2%) of today’s homeowners have lived in their home for more than 15 years, and 1 in 4 for over 25 years.”

That kind of longevity can translate into substantial equity — often far more than homeowners expect.

What That Really Means in Dollars

Recent research from Realtor.com helps illustrate how much equity homeowners may have today, depending on when they purchased a median-priced home.

• Mid-1990s buyers may now have over $400,000 in equity.

• Early 2000s buyers could be sitting on more than $330,000, even after owning through the housing crash.

• Homeowners who bought in 2015 may already have nearly $285,000 in equity in just a ten-year timeframe.

Your personal equity will vary based on your original purchase price, the size of your down payment, any improvements you’ve made, and how long you’ve owned the home. But the takeaway is clear:

Many homeowners are sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity without fully realizing it.

How Your Equity Can Power Your Next Move

This is where equity becomes a strategic advantage.

If you’re worried about taking on a higher mortgage rate for your next home, your equity could help fund a much larger down payment — reducing the amount you need to finance and helping offset today’s rates.

If you’re concerned about competing in today’s housing market, your equity may allow you to make a cash offer on your next home. All-cash offers are especially attractive to sellers because they eliminate financing risk and can lead to faster, smoother closings.

For many homeowners, equity removes the biggest obstacles to moving and opens doors that once felt out of reach.

Bottom Line

Understanding the value of your home doesn’t mean you have to sell — but it does mean you’ll know what options you have.

If you haven’t reviewed your home’s value or equity recently, now is a great time to take another look. Knowing your numbers gives you clarity, flexibility, and control over your next move.

If you’d like a custom professional equity assessment, let’s connect and take a closer look at what your home could help you accomplish next.