How often do you check your bank account? Weekly? Daily? Multiple times a day if you’ve just booked a vacation or gone on a spending spree?
Now, ask yourself this: When was the last time you checked the equity in your home? Are you ignoring your biggest financial asset?
If you’re like most people, your bank balance gets far more attention than your home’s equity. But here’s the truth: Your home is likely your biggest financial asset—and it plays a huge role in your long-term wealth and financial security.
Why Home Equity Deserves More of Your Attention
Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. As you pay down your loan and as your home’s value appreciates, your equity grows—often quietly, behind the scenes, while you go about your daily life.
It might not feel as tangible as the money sitting in your checking account, but over time, home equity can outpace your savings account by a long shot. The earlier you buy, the more time your equity has to grow. Not sure where to start but know that purchasing a home is in your future, don’t wait, connect now.
Real Estate as a Wealth-Building Tool
Buying a home early in life is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. Not only are you avoiding years of paying someone else’s mortgage (hello, rent!), but you are also building a financial cushion that can benefit you for decades.
Think of it this way: While your rent payments disappear each month, your mortgage payments are gradually turning into ownership—and growing equity. Over the years, that equity builds a powerful financial resource.
Equity in Retirement: More Than Just a Number
Fast forward to your retirement years. Maybe your 401(k) and savings accounts aren’t quite where you hoped they’d be. This is where home equity becomes your unsung hero.
Options like a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or a reverse mortgage can give you access to the equity you’ve built—without selling your home. This can be especially helpful for managing retirement expenses, covering healthcare costs, or simply enhancing your quality of life.
As Bill Perkins highlights in his book Die With Zero, the goal isn’t to hoard wealth indefinitely—it’s to strategically use it to maximize life experiences. Your home equity can help fund those bucket-list adventures, support family members, or allow you to retire more comfortably.
So, What Should You Do?
- Check your equity: Contact a local real estate professional (hi, that’s us!) for a quick home valuation. You might be surprised at how much your home is worth today.
- Understand your options: From HELOCs to smart refinancing, knowing what tools are available can empower you to make the most of your investment.
- Start early: If you haven’t purchased a home yet, consider it an investment in your future self. The earlier you start, the longer your equity has to grow.
Final Thoughts
Your bank account shows you what’s possible today. Your home equity shows you what’s possible for your future.
So the next time you log into your banking app, take a moment to think bigger. Your financial health isn’t just about what’s liquid—it’s about what you’re building. Real estate is one of the most reliable ways to build long-term wealth.
Want to know how much equity you have—and what it could do for your future? Let’s talk.