by Omar Cruz | Aug 25, 2026 | Downsize, Equity, Move-up, Selling Tips
Author- Keeping Current Matters
When’s the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor’s house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now.
For a lot of homeowners, it’s been years. And if you’ve been thinking about moving, but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number.
Your House May Be Worth More Than You Think
Home values have climbed significantly over the past 5-10 years. And even though today’s market is more balanced, homeowners are building wealth every day just by owning their homes. That’s how equity works. As home values rise, and as you make your monthly payments, your equity grows. And it adds up fast.
According to Cotality, the typical homeowner with a mortgage now has $310,500 in equity. That’s not a small number. It’s six figures.
And that’s only the national average. In many states, homeowners have built even more equity than that. Take a look at the map below and see where your state stands. The darker the blue, the more equity the typical homeowner has there (see map below):
Even though every local market is different, the question you should be asking right now is the same: How much equity have you built up?
Because if you don’t know that number, you’re missing out.
This Could Be the Missing Piece in Your Move
Most people assume that because prices are higher and rates aren’t at 3% anymore, moving just isn’t realistic right now, especially if they already have an ultra-low rate. And that’s understandable, those are real factors.
But they’re not the only factors.
When you have that much equity in your house, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re not scraping together a down payment or hoping the numbers work. You’re walking into your next move with more of an advantage than you think. And that changes the math.
What Your Equity Can Do for You
Maybe you’ve outgrown your current house or you’re ready to downsize… The equity you’ve built could help bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to be next.
Yes, your next house may cost more than your last one did. But your equity could cover a big chunk of that difference. Depending on how much you’ve built, it could help you:
- Lower your monthly payment on your next home. The bigger your down payment on your next place, the less you have to borrow. And with today’s rates, borrowing less can make a big difference in what you pay every month.
- Buy your next house with all cash. This surprises a lot of people, but some homeowners have built enough equity to buy their next home outright, in cash. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than one-quarter (26%) of repeat buyers paid all cash for their home in July.
- Transform the home you already have. Love your neighborhood but not your floor plan? You don’t have to move. Your equity could help fund renovations that make your home fit your life today while potentially adding value for tomorrow.
Your equity doesn’t erase the challenges of the current market. But it does mean you’re walking into your next move with a lot more power and flexibility than you think.
That’s why the value of your home isn’t something you should have to wonder about.
If you’re even thinking about a move or if you’re just curious what your options might be the smartest thing you can do is get a Professional Equity Assessment. It’ll give you a real, market-based evaluation of what your house is really worth right now and how much equity you’re working with.
Because once you see the number, maybe it’s not about whether you can afford to move – it’s about what kind of move makes sense for you.
Bottom Line
If it’s been a while since you’ve gotten a professional look at your home’s value, it’s time to change that.
Reach out to a local real estate agent for a free, personalized Home Equity Assessment that estimates what your house could sell for, how much equity you’ve likely built, and what that could mean for your next move.
You may have six figures of equity without even realizing it. And that’s enough to change everything about your next move.
by Omar Cruz | Jul 30, 2026 | Equity, For Sellers, Inventory, Move-up, Selling Tips
Author: Keeping Current Matters
Remember how exciting it was to buy your first place? It felt like crossing a long-awaited finish line. It gave you a place to build your life. Maybe it’s where you lived when you got married. Or where you welcomed a child or a pet into the family.
But that was just the beginning.
For most people, your first house was never meant to be your forever home. It’s a stepping stone for what comes next.
And if your life looks different today than it did when you got the keys, you’re not stuck. Moving may be more realistic than you think.
Starter Home Inventory Is Still Relatively Low
If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to move up, here’s something worth knowing. Starter homes remain one of the hardest types of homes to find. And that’s good news if you’re thinking about selling your first place.
Historically, we haven’t been building enough homes for first-time buyers. And even though homebuilders have shifted more attention toward smaller, entry-level homes lately, the Census shows there’s a long way to go to rebuild supply (see graph below):
That means your current house is in demand and that’s a dream scenario for sellers. But that’s only half the story. You also need somewhere to go.
There Are More Move-Up Homes on the Market
Here’s where this gets interesting. While the supply of starter homes remains tight (the green line), data from Redfin shows that the number of homes for sale has been climbing overall (the blue line):
As Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist and Director of Real Estate Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
“Too much of the inventory available today remains concentrated at higher price points, leaving a shortage of options for entry-level and middle-income buyers.”
That means you may have more choices for your move up than you’d expect. Whether you’re hoping for another bedroom, a home office, a bigger backyard, or simply more room for this next stage of life, today’s market may finally be giving you the chance to find it.
At the same time, your current house may be exactly what someone else has been looking for because homes like yours are still in short supply. That’s a unique advantage for move-up buyers. And it could help you sell for a stronger price. As Zillow says:
“Starter home value appreciation has outpaced other types of homes nationally, mostly because they’re so in demand.”
Your Biggest Advantage May Be Your Equity
Here’s the cherry on top. There’s one more thing your first home has been doing behind the scenes, and that’s building equity. Every mortgage payment you’ve made and every year your home’s value has grown has quietly increased your ownership stake in your house.
According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has $295k in equity built up. While your number may be different, once you sell, it could become the down payment on your next home or help reduce the amount you need to borrow at today’s rates.
Put it all together, and your move up becomes a lot more realistic than you think:
- The house you’re selling is in demand.
- The house you’re buying may be easier to find.
- And the equity you’ve built can help bridge the gap between the two.
Your first home did exactly what it was supposed to do. It gave you a place to start.
Now, it may be the thing that helps you take the next step.
Bottom Line
Your first home was never meant to be your forever home. It was meant to help you build a life and build the financial foundation for whatever came next.
If your current home no longer fits the life you’re living today, connect with an agent. You may be closer to your next chapter than you realize.
by Omar Cruz | Jul 10, 2026 | Equity, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Home Prices, Mortgage Rates
Author: Keeping Current Matters
You’ve probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately. High rates. Stretched budgets. Headlines that make buying or selling sound like a terrible idea. But the data tells a very different story.
This isn’t 2020 or 2021. It was never going to be. Those were the “unicorn years” – historic low mortgage rates, bidding wars on everything, homes flying off the market in days. That kind of market was a once-in-a-generation anomaly, not a baseline. So, when people compare today to that, of course, it looks rough.
But compared to almost any other housing market in modern history? This one is holding up remarkably well.
Homeowners Are Sitting on a Mountain of Equity
One of the biggest reasons this market hasn’t cracked is the financial strength of the American homeowner. According to Federal Reserve data, homeowner equity and mortgage debt were nearly identical in 2008. That means, if someone hit a rough patch, they had almost nothing to fall back on. That’s what made that crash so bad.
Today? Total homeowner equity across the country sits at $35 trillion – dwarfing total mortgage debt (see graph below):
That gap means most homeowners aren’t stretched thin or one bad month away from trouble. They own a meaningful chunk of their home and that gives them options. If they needed to sell, many could because they have a cushion. And that cushion grows over time.
- Realtor.com found that homeowners who’ve been in their home just 5 years have built up around $180,000 in equity on average. Stick around 6-10 years, and that jumps to over $340,000.
- Data from ATTOM and the Census show that two-thirds of homeowners either own their home outright or have more than 50% equity.
That’s not a fragile market. That’s a population of homeowners who are financially positioned to sell, to stay, or to make their next move from a place of strength rather than pressure.
Low Rates and Low Foreclosures
At the same time, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) data shows more than half of all active mortgages still carry a rate below 4% (see graph below):
That’s a big reason inventory stays tight. Those homeowners aren’t in a rush to trade their rate for a higher one. They’re sitting comfortably in a strong financial position, not scrambling.
That comfort shows up in the foreclosure numbers, too. Despite a slight recent uptick, foreclosure volumes remain dramatically below historical norms, according to ATTOM. Homeowners aren’t losing their homes in droves. They have equity, they have breathing room, and most have options that keep them out of financial distress.
Prices Are Stabilizing, Not Crashing
Here’s another point on the resilience of the market. Redfin research shows home prices are still rising, but the pace has slowed, now closer to 2% year-over-year nationally (see graph below):
That slowdown is good news, as Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains:
“We’re in the middle of a long-term housing market correction, not a housing market crash. After the pandemic-era frenzy sent prices soaring and inventory to historic lows, the market needed a reset.”
Bottom Line
This market isn’t broken, and waiting for a crash that isn’t coming has a cost. Every month spent on the sidelines is a month someone else is building equity, locking in a price, or getting ahead of what most experts expect to be a housing surge once broader economic conditions settle.
Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, a local real estate agent can help you figure out what this market means for your specific situation and what your next move could look like.
by Omar Cruz | May 22, 2026 | Equity, For Sellers, Foreclosures
Author: Keeping Current Matters
You’ve probably seen the headlines saying, “foreclosures are on the rise,” and maybe your mind jumped straight to 2008. That’s understandable. A lot of people remember that crash and all the foreclosures that happened during that window, and they’re hoping something like that never happens again.
But this isn’t a repeat of what happened back then. Here’s the context to prove it.
Foreclosures Are Rising, But They’re Still Historically Low
Yes, foreclosure filings are up 26% from a year ago, according to ATTOM. And they’ve been rising for 5 straight quarters. That’s a real trend worth paying attention to. But the full picture isn’t scary like the headlines suggest.
The reality is the increase we’re seeing is a sign of the market normalizing.
Here’s an important thing to know about this chart. The extremely low numbers you see in 2020 and 2021 don’t represent what’s “normal.” That’s when the government put a moratorium on foreclosures to help homeowners get through the pandemic. Those years were an exception, not the baseline.
Instead, compare where we are today to 2017, 2018, and 2019 – the last years the market was running normally. Today’s numbers are still lower. So, we’re not even back to what’s typical, yet. That means this can’t be a crash. (see graph below):
While today’s numbers are getting closer to pre-pandemic levels, they’re still below historical norms. And just look at what was happening around 2008. Even with the recent increase, we’re nowhere near those levels. This is a market returning to normal, not heading toward a crisis.
Why Today’s Equity Picture Changes Everything
Most of those filings won’t even end in a completed foreclosure. That’s because today’s homeowners have something most people in 2008 simply didn’t have. And that’s equity.
The average homeowner today is sitting on roughly $295,000 in home equity right now, according to Cotality. Back in 2008, many people owed more than their homes were worth. Selling wasn’t an option. And foreclosure was often the only door available.
Today, that’s not the case. If you have enough equity to cover what you owe and the cost of selling, you could sell your home, pay off your debt, protect your credit, and potentially walk away with money in your pocket.
That’s a completely different situation than what homeowners faced during the last crash, and it’s a big reason we’re unlikely to see foreclosures spiral the way they did back then.
Check out the graph below. It shows foreclosure data from ATTOM going back to 2005. Here’s how to read it:
- The yellow line tracks all foreclosure filings.
- The orange line tracks foreclosure starts, meaning the process has officially begun.
- And the red line at the bottom tracks completed foreclosures (the ones where a homeowner actually lost their home).
See how the red line stays well below the other two? That gap tells the real story. A lot of homeowners who enter the foreclosure process never end up losing their home because they find another way forward first.
Today’s equity is a big reason for that. So, even the filings we are seeing now won’t all end in foreclosure.
If You’re Struggling, You Have More Options Than You Think
Maybe you’re behind on payments. Maybe you’re stressed about what comes next. That’s an incredibly hard place to be, but it’s important to know that missing a payment or two doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your home.
Banks would much rather work with you than foreclose. It’s a complicated, costly process for them, too. They’re often willing to set up a repayment plan, offer forbearance (a temporary pause or reduction in your payments), or modify your loan to make things more manageable long-term.
Just know the sooner you reach out to your lender, the more options you’ll have. In some states (ones that don’t require the foreclosure process to go through a court) things can move faster than people expect. Getting ahead of it early gives you and your lender the most room to find a solution.
And if selling makes more sense for your situation, a real estate agent can help you understand what your home is worth and whether that’s a path worth exploring.
Bottom Line
Foreclosure filings may be rising, but they’re still low. And the equity most homeowners are sitting on today is a key reason this looks nothing like 2008.
by Omar Cruz | May 22, 2026 | Equity, For Buyers, For Sellers
Author: Keeping Current Matters
You may have seen the headlines lately about mortgage debt in America hitting a record high. And maybe your brother-in-law brought it up at the dinner table like he’s been waiting all week to spark a debate.
Here’s the thing. He’s not wrong. But he only has half the story. And the half he’s missing? It changes everything.
Spoiler: homeowners are on a stronger footing than the headlines suggest, and the housing market has more going for it than most people realize.
The Headline Number Is Real, But It’s Missing Context
Yes, according to the Federal Reserve, there is currently about $14 trillion in mortgage debt in the United States. That is an all-time high. And when you hear that alongside stories about people struggling to pay their bills, it’s easy to assume the worst.
But here’s what the data actually shows (see graph below):
This chart from the Federal Reserve tracks three things from 2000 to today: the total value of all U.S. homes (the green line), the equity homeowners hold in those homes (the blue line), and the total mortgage debt owed on them (the orange line).
Right now, home values sit at $47.9 trillion. Homeowner equity is at $34.1 trillion. And the mortgage debt everyone’s worried about? It’s $14.4 trillion.
Debt is at a record high, sure. But the equity homeowners have built up is more than double that number, and it’s also near a record high.
Here’s the part worth pausing on. See the years between 2008 and 2013, where the orange line was higher than the blue one? That’s when the housing market was in genuine trouble. When debt exceeds equity, as it did back then, homeowners have no cushion.
So, when prices dropped in 2008, millions of people owed more than their homes were worth and had nowhere to go. That’s what a housing crisis actually looks like. That’s not what’s happening today. Right now, it’s just the opposite.
The gap between what people owe and what they own has never been wider – in a good way. Today, they have far more equity than debt.
Most Homeowners Are in a Rock-Solid Position
So, we know equity is high nationally. But what does that actually look like at the individual homeowner level? This next chart uses data from ATTOM and the Census to put it in perspective:
Out of all owner-occupied homes in the country, 33.3 million are owned completely free and clear – no mortgage, no lender, no risk of foreclosure. Another 22.3 million homeowners have more than 50% equity in their homes.
Add those together, and you’re looking at nearly two-thirds of all homeowners who have either paid off their mortgage entirely or have such a substantial equity stake that they’re in an extremely stable position.
The remaining slice – 29.1 million homes with less than 50% equity – isn’t a sign of distress, either. That includes plenty of people who recently bought, are building equity over time, and are doing just fine.
The point is this isn’t a market teetering on the edge. It’s a market built on an unusually strong foundation.
Bottom Line
Record mortgage debt makes for a scary headline. But context matters.
Equity is near an all-time high, home values have surged, and the vast majority of homeowners are in a position of real financial strength. The conditions that made 2008 a crisis simply don’t exist right now.
If you’re wondering what all of this means for your situation, whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just trying to make sense of the market, a local real estate agent would love to talk it through with you. Reach out anytime. No pressure, just answers.
by Omar Cruz | Apr 23, 2026 | Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy
You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question a lot of people are asking.
With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that.
But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough.
It’s what each choice does for your future.
What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)
Depending on your situation, renting does have some advantages:
- Lower upfront costs.
- Less responsibility.
- More flexibility to move when you want.
But even with those benefits, a Bank of America survey found 70% of aspiring homeowners worry about what long-term renting means for their future. And that concern comes down to one thing: you’re not building anything for your future. As Yahoo Finance explains:
“Paying rent doesn’t build equity. You get a place to live, but no ownership stake, no price appreciation, and no asset to leverage for future borrowing or investment.”
So, while renting may feel easier, the flexibility you get comes at a cost.
How Homeownership Builds Your Wealth Over Time
On the other hand, owning a home is one of the most consistent ways people build wealth over time. Why? When you’re a homeowner, you gain something called equity. That’s the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe.
That equity grows with every monthly payment you make. It also gets a boost as home values go up through the years – and it adds up quicker than you may think.
Today, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says the average homeowner’s net worth is 43X greater than that of a renter:
The dollars in the visual don’t lie. On average, here’s how net worth compares:
- Homeowners: $430k
- Renters: $10k
And it’s not because homeowners make wildly different decisions day to day. It’s because over time, one path builds something, and the other doesn’t.
So sure, buying comes with some upfront costs and more responsibility. But it’s basically a savings account you can live in.
The Gap Is Growing Over Time
And here’s something else interesting. That net worth gap between renters and homeowners has been widening over time, not shrinking.
If you look back at the reports on net worth through the years, you can see the gap is growing as homeowners gain wealth and renters stay stuck in the rental trap (see graph below):
Even in 2025, when home prices were moderating, homeowners still gained even more ground. And that tells you something important:
When you can afford it and you’re ready for the responsibility, history shows buying is usually worth it in the long run. Because either way, you’re paying for someone’s mortgage and building someone’s net worth.
When you rent, it’s your landlord’s mortgage – not yours. But when you buy? Your monthly payments help build equity.
The question is: whose do you want to pay? Yours or theirs?
So, Should You Buy a Home Now?
The short answer is, it depends on your situation.
While the long-term benefits of buying are clear, that doesn’t mean the timing is right for everyone right now. And that’s okay. You should only buy a home once you’re ready and the numbers work for you.
But whether you’re looking to buy now or planning for the future, the first step is the same. You should have a quick conversation with a local real estate agent about your goals, timeline, and budget.
They can help you run the numbers and see what’s realistic. You may find buying is closer than you thought. And if not, you’ll at least know exactly what it will take to get there.
Because the sooner you have a plan, the sooner you can decide when it makes sense, instead of wondering if it ever will.
Bottom Line
Renting may feel more doable today. But over time, it could cost you.
If you want to ditch renting and start building something for your future, it starts with a simple conversation. Connect with a real estate agent to talk about your specific goals, and explore your options – so you’re ready when the time is right for you.
