• HOME
    HOME
  • PROPERTY SEARCH
    PROPERTY SEARCH
    • DREAM HOME FINDER
      DREAM HOME FINDER
    • BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
      BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
    • DUNELLEN HOMES
      DUNELLEN HOMES
    • FANWOOD HOMES
      FANWOOD HOMES
    • METUCHEN HOMES
      METUCHEN HOMES
    • NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
      NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
    • PISCATAWAY HOMES
      PISCATAWAY HOMES
    • SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
      SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
    • SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • WATCHUNG HOMES
      WATCHUNG HOMES
    • WARREN HOMES
      WARREN HOMES
    • SOMERSET HOMES
      SOMERSET HOMES
  • HOME SELLERS
    HOME SELLERS
    • HOME VALUATION REQUEST
      HOME VALUATION REQUEST
    • STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
      STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
    • COMMUNITY INFO
      COMMUNITY INFO
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
      NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
  • HOME BUYERS
    HOME BUYERS
    • LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
      LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
    • CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
      CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
    • RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
      RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
    • MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
      MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
      NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
  • ABOUT ROBIN
    ABOUT ROBIN
    • ABOUT ROBIN
      ABOUT ROBIN
    • CONTACT ME
      CONTACT ME
    • TESTIMONIALS
      TESTIMONIALS
  • BLOG
    BLOG
  • HOME
    HOME
  • PROPERTY SEARCH
    PROPERTY SEARCH
    • DREAM HOME FINDER
      DREAM HOME FINDER
    • BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
      BERKELEY HEIGHTS HOMES
    • DUNELLEN HOMES
      DUNELLEN HOMES
    • FANWOOD HOMES
      FANWOOD HOMES
    • METUCHEN HOMES
      METUCHEN HOMES
    • NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      NORTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
      NEW PROVIDENCE HOMES
    • PISCATAWAY HOMES
      PISCATAWAY HOMES
    • SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
      SCOTCH PLAINS HOMES
    • SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
      SOUTH PLAINFIELD HOMES
    • WATCHUNG HOMES
      WATCHUNG HOMES
    • WARREN HOMES
      WARREN HOMES
    • SOMERSET HOMES
      SOMERSET HOMES
  • HOME SELLERS
    HOME SELLERS
    • HOME VALUATION REQUEST
      HOME VALUATION REQUEST
    • STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
      STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
    • COMMUNITY INFO
      COMMUNITY INFO
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
      NEWS FOR HOME SELLERS
  • HOME BUYERS
    HOME BUYERS
    • LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
      LUXURY HOMES IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
    • CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
      CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES
    • RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
      RETIREMENT HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
    • MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
      MORTGAGE CALCULATOR
    • LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
      LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
    • NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
      NEWS FOR HOME BUYERS
  • ABOUT ROBIN
    ABOUT ROBIN
    • ABOUT ROBIN
      ABOUT ROBIN
    • CONTACT ME
      CONTACT ME
    • TESTIMONIALS
      TESTIMONIALS
  • BLOG
    BLOG
To Blog

3 Ways Home Equity Can Have a Major Impact on Your Life

February 17, 2021
-
Distressed Properties, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Rent vs. Buy
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

3 Ways Home Equity Can Have a Major Impact on Your Life | Simplifying The Market

There have been a lot of headlines reporting on how homeowner equity (the difference between the current market value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage) has dramatically increased over the past few years. CoreLogic indicated that equity increased for the average homeowner by $17,000 in the last year alone. ATTOM Data Solutions, in their latest U.S. Home Equity Report, revealed that 30.2% of the 59 million mortgaged homes in the United States have at least 50% equity. That doesn’t even include the 38% of homes that are owned free and clear, meaning they don’t have a mortgage at all.

How can equity help a household?

Having equity in your home can dramatically impact your life. Equity is like a savings account you can tap into when you need cash. Like any other savings, you should be sensible in how you use it, though. Here are three good reasons to consider using your equity.

1. You’re experiencing financial hardship (job loss, medical expenses, etc.)

Equity gives you options during difficult financial times. With equity, you could refinance your house to get cash which may ease the burden. It also puts you in a better position to talk to the bank about restructuring your home loan until you can get back on your feet.

Today, there are 2.7 million Americans who are currently in a forbearance program because of the pandemic. Ninety percent of those in the program have at least 10% equity. That puts them in a better position to get a loan modification instead of facing foreclosure because many banks will see the equity as a form of collateral in a new deal. If you’re in this position, even if you can’t get a modification, the equity allows you the option to sell your house and walk away with your equity instead of losing the house and your investment in it.

2. You need money to start a new business

We’ve all heard the stories about how many great American companies started in the founder’s garage (i.e., Disney, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Yankee Candle, Keeping Current Matters). What we might not realize, however, is the garage (along with the rest of the home) supplied the start-up money for many of these companies in the form of a refinance.

If you’re passionate about an idea you have for a new product or service, the equity in your home may enable you to make that dream a reality.

3. You want to invest in a loved one’s future

It’s been a long-standing tradition in this country for many households to help pay college expenses for their children. Some have tapped into the equity in their homes to do that.

Additionally, George Ratiu, Senior Economist for realtor.com, notes:

“52% of Americans who bought their first home in 2020 said they got help with their down payment from friends or family. The number one lender? Their parents.”

It’s safe to assume a percentage of that down payment money likely came from home equity.

Bottom Line

Savings in any form is a good thing. The forced savings you can earn from making a mortgage payment enables you to build wealth through home equity. That equity can come in handy in both good and more challenging times.

PREVIOUS POST
Millennials: Is It Time to Buy a Bigger Home?
NEXT POST
Will Low Mortgage Rates Continue through 2021?

Robin Taylor Roth

Find Your Dream Home
Price
Beds
Baths
More
Save Search
Get In Touch!

What is My Home Worth?

Related News

Other posts that you should not miss

Americans Rank Real Estate Best Investment for 7 Years Running [INFOGRAPHIC]

July 10, 2020
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

Some Highlights Real estate has outranked stocks, savings accounts, and gold as the best long-term investment among Americans for the past 7 …

Read More →
First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics
1 MIN READ

How To Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today’s Market

December 1, 2021
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires …

Read More →
Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers
2 MIN READ

The Next Generation of Homebuyers Is Here

January 25, 2022
-
Posted by Robin Taylor Roth

Many members of Generation Z (Gen Z) are aging into adulthood and deciding whether to rent or buy a home. If …

Read More →
Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Gen Z
3 MIN READ
Contact Me

Robin Taylor Roth
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties
225 Maple Avenue South, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
NJ #0897458

Office : 908.755.5300
Cell : 908.612.4962
Email : robintaylorroth@BHHSNJ.com

Your Contact Info

     

    Agent Login

    © 2022 Robin Taylor Roth ©2017 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

    3 Ways Home Equity Can Have a Major Impact on Your Life - Central New Jersey Real Estate

    Attraction in Dunellen Boro, NJ

    778 Frenchtown Rd
    Powered by Yelp
    The Famous River Hot Dog Man
    The Famous River Hot Dog Man - Milford Yelp Rating 17 reviews
    Rafting/Kayaking, Tubing
    80 Old York Rd
    Powered by Yelp
    Old York Cellars
    Old York Cellars - Ringoes Yelp Rating 210 reviews
    Wineries, Wine Tours
    778 Frenchtown Rd
    Powered by Yelp
    Delaware River Tubing
    Delaware River Tubing - Milford Yelp Rating 227 reviews
    Rafting/Kayaking, Boating, Tubing
    220 Rte 22 W
    Powered by Yelp
    Crystal Toyota
    Crystal Toyota - Green Brook Township Yelp Rating 107 reviews
    Car Dealers, Oil Change Stations, Auto Parts & Supplies
    Powered by Yelp
    Derrick Joseph Psychic Medium
    Derrick Joseph Psychic Medium - Philadelphia Yelp Rating 28 reviews
    Psychic Mediums, Life Coach
    360 Industrial Loop
    Powered by Yelp
    WeGotLites
    WeGotLites - Staten Island Yelp Rating 46 reviews
    Home Decor, Lighting Fixtures & Equipment, Lighting Stores
    378 Route 6 & 209 Matamoras Base
    Powered by Yelp
    Kittatinny Canoes
    Kittatinny Canoes - Milford Yelp Rating 77 reviews
    Rafting/Kayaking, Tubing
    1055 US Hwy 1
    Powered by Yelp
    Worldwide Wholesale Floor Coverings
    Worldwide Wholesale Floor Coverings - Edison Yelp Rating 88 reviews
    Carpeting, Hardware Stores
    Powered by Yelp
    The Happy Wanderer Travel Agency
    The Happy Wanderer Travel Agency - Plainfield Yelp Rating 1 reviews
    Travel Agents, Tours
    378 Route 6 & 209
    Powered by Yelp
    Kittatinny Canoes
    Kittatinny Canoes - Milford Yelp Rating 28 reviews
    Campgrounds, Tubing, Rafting/Kayaking
    420 W 1st Ave
    Powered by Yelp
    Granitetop
    Granitetop  - Roselle Yelp Rating 7 reviews
    General Contractors, Kitchen & Bath
    Powered by Yelp
    The Ilka Pinheiro
    The Ilka Pinheiro - New York Yelp Rating 16 reviews
    Reiki, Psychic Mediums, Counseling & Mental Health
    305-B New Dorp Ln
    Powered by Yelp
    Gables New York
    Gables New York - Staten Island Yelp Rating 9 reviews
    Home Decor, Shades & Blinds, Shutters
    70 Commerce St
    Powered by Yelp
    Frank's Express
    Frank's Express - Brooklyn Yelp Rating 123 reviews
    Movers, Packing Services, Packing Supplies
    45 Main St Ste 202
    Powered by Yelp
    Block Renovation
    Block Renovation - Brooklyn Yelp Rating 76 reviews
    Kitchen & Bath, General Contractors
    234 16th St Fl 2
    Powered by Yelp
    Alpha Moving & Storage
    Alpha Moving & Storage - Jersey City Yelp Rating 177 reviews
    Movers, Self Storage, Packing Supplies