One goal you have that you'd go after right now, if you had the funds for it?
- Charles "Skip" Geiser
- Feb 12
- 8 min read
You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down.
Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life.
How Much Equity Does the Typical Homeowner Have?
Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your home that you own free and clear grows. That’s your equity.
And according to data from the Census and ATTOM, two-thirds of homeowners have a substantial amount of it today.
(see chart below):
That’s a big deal. And just in case you’re wondering how that translates into real dollars, Cotality says the typical homeowner has almost $300k in equity today. That’s six figures.
And whether you have that much, even more, or a bit less, here are a few examples of how you can use it.
Ways You Could Use Your Home Equity
1. Move Into a Home That Better Fits Your Life
Your needs change over time. Maybe your home is starting to feel cramped, or maybe you have more space than you need now that your adult children have moved out. Either way, you can use your equity as a down payment on a home that’s a better fit for what you need now, and going forward. You may even have enough equity to buy your next house in cash.
2. Upgrade Your Current Home
And if you’re not ready to move just yet, you could reinvest it in your current home instead. Renovations like a kitchen refresh or updated bathrooms could add value when it’s time to sell down the line. Just be sure to talk to a real estate agent before you tackle your project list, so you can prioritize updates that’ll give you the biggest return later on.
3. Fund a Major Life Goal
Equity can also help fund your life goals – whether it’s starting a business, saving for retirement, covering education costs, or helping out someone you love. Some homeowners are even passing down some of that wealth to help fund a loved one's down payment on a home.
4. Avoid Foreclosure in Tough Times
If you’re struggling with payments, your equity can also be a lifeline. Many homeowners who hit financial hardships can sell their homes and walk away with money in their pockets instead of facing foreclosure. If that’s something on your mind, talk to a real estate expert about your options and how your equity can help.
Your Next Steps
If you’re interested in using your equity for one of the reasons above, here’s what to do:
Step 1: Ask a local agent for a personalized equity assessment on your home.
Step 2: Meet with a financial advisor if you’re interested in using that equity.
Because when it comes to tapping into this resource, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind – like making sure you still have a good loan-to-value ratio (LTV) even if you use some of your equity.
That means, as a general rule of thumb, you want to maintain at least 20% equity in your home as a financial cushion – something many homeowners didn’t know back in the crash of 2008.
The good news is, according to the Intercontinental Exchange, most of today’s equity meets that guideline:
“As of Q4, mortgage holders have $17.3T in home equity, including $11.2T in tappable equity ‒ accessible via cash-out refinances or home equity lines while maintaining 20% equity in the property . . . ”
Bottom Line
Your home equity is one of the biggest financial assets you have. Whether you’re thinking about moving, remodeling, or working toward a big goal, it’s worth exploring your options. Reach out to a financial advisor to learn more.
What’s one goal you have that you'd go after right now, if you had the funds for it?
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Think Your Smart?
Done...What Most Religions Don't Tell You About The Bible
Cary Schmidt's Introduction of Done
Don't Worry About Dying...You Will Live Forever...
It's All About Location, Location, Location!
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for us to be saved from this sinful world. Time is at Hand and while it is not too late, secure your salvation.
If you don’t know how to secure salvation, this simple easy to follow “ABCs of Salvation” will guide you on how to accept genuinely Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior to secure salvation for you to surely go to Heaven.
But before going through the steps you might ask: Why do I need to Secure Salvation? And why do I need to go to heaven? This because:
You might be wealthy but it cannot be exchanged for your soul.
Whatever you have here on earth, they are nothing and there is no forever on Earth.
Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything else.
It is appointed that we will die physicaly and we will be judged (Hebrews 9:27).
You only have two destinations: Heaven or Hell
Hell has no exit and Heaven has only one door – Jesus
So how to secure salvation?
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
C – CONFESS with your mouth
D – DEPART from evil
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
We all have sinned.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
And no matter how you try to be good, you will still fail.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Romans 3:23 KJV
You are still unclean.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.Isaiah 64:6 KJV
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to save us. And through His blood, our sins washed away.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:16 KJV
Only by His grace and not by works.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV
There is no other way but only through Jesus Christ alone.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6 KJV
God commended His love toward us.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8 KJV
If we have Jesus Christ living in us, we will live eternally.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.1 John 5:12 KJV
In the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.1 Corinthians 5:3-5 KJV
By the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Titus 3:5-7 KJV
C – CONFESS with your mouth
Now that you accepted that you are a sinner and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, confess with your mouth your sins and that you believe in Him. Let Him come to you and accept Him as your Lord and personal Savior.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9 KJV
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:9-11 KJV
Now do the Sinner’s Prayer:
Holy, thoughtful, gracious, and Heavenly Father, I recognize and acknowledge I am a miscreant not deserving of your grace and I ask forgiveness of my sins. I know your son is the truth the light and the way, I give myself freely to His control and welcome him into my heart. I ask you to walk with me and guide me, teach me your way and your truth. Thank you for the gift of your Son’s sacrifice on the cross that I may live. Thank you for your forgiveness and for accepting me as your child. Amen.
Now that you are saved and you have Jesus Christ living in you, you should not stop there. What is next? Follow Him, His words, submit yourself, and don’t forget to
D – DEPART from evil
This is not part of the step to secure salvation but it is a way of proving yourself that you are now truly of Christ. Forget your past and follow Him.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalms 34:14 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
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This article provides information and opinions but is not meant as investment advice. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser or Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing does not assure the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions presented here. It is important to conduct your own research, due diligence, and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser or Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from relying on the information or opinions in this article.
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