Owning a home presents numerous advantages, particularly the opportunity to accumulate generational wealth that can be inherited by future family members. This potential for wealth accumulation has significantly increased in recent years, especially over the past five years, as homeownership has become a vital strategy for financial stability and growth.
According to the latest quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors, homeowners have experienced an impressive increase in home equity, with an average gain of nearly $150,000 since 2019, translating to approximately $30,000 each year. These substantial gains are largely attributed to the rapid rise in home prices, which began during the pandemic and continues to show resilience today.
In the third quarter of this year, which ran from July to September, the median price for existing single-family homes reached an average of $418,700, marking a year-over-year increase of 3.1%. The NAR report indicates that prices surged in 196 out of 226 metropolitan areas surveyed. While many cities experienced modest single-digit increases, there were notable exceptions, with 15 cities seeing home prices rise by 10% or more, underscoring the varying dynamics of the housing market.
The extraordinary escalation of home prices during the pandemic has led to homeowners amassing unprecedented levels of home equity. This equity is calculated by subtracting the mortgage balance from the current market value of the property. As home prices climb, homeowners effectively increase their ownership stake in their properties, which can provide significant financial flexibility and security.
Data from the analytics firm Intercontinental Exchange reveals that homeowners collectively held an astonishing $17 trillion in equity during the first quarter of 2024, representing a historic peak. Out of this total, around $11 trillion is considered tappable equity, which means homeowners can convert this value into cash through options such as cash-out refinancing, home equity loans, or lines of credit, thereby enhancing their financial options.
While existing homeowners may celebrate the rising prices, potential buyers face a more challenging landscape, as housing affordability remains a significant concern across various markets.
Recent data on home prices indicates a slight improvement compared to the averages of the preceding three months; however, those prospective buyers hoping for a drastic reduction in costs may still find themselves disappointed. Although there are signs of stabilization, home prices have doubled in numerous markets since the onset of the pandemic, making a substantial decline in prices improbable in the near future.
Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the NAR, noted in a news release that the likelihood of a market crash is “minimal.” This is largely due to the significant equity gains homeowners have made, which allows those in financial distress the option to leverage their equity to settle debts or sell their homes to avoid foreclosure.
However, potential buyers must also contend with elevated financing costs. Throughout most of the year, mortgage rates hovered around 7%, but a slight decline was observed during the summer in anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate cut. Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year mortgage dipped to 6.08% by mid-September.
Since then, mortgage rates have taken an upward turn again, rising steadily despite recent cuts by the Fed. As of the week ending Friday, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.79%. This upward trend suggests that buyers may face ongoing challenges in securing affordable financing in the foreseeable future.
Key economic indicators, such as employment rates and inflation levels, will influence mortgage rate movements in the short term. Additionally, the policies implemented by President-elect Donald Trump may also play a significant role in shaping long-term interest rate trends, further complicating the landscape for homebuyers.
Explore the Top 10 Cities Experiencing Significant Home Price Increases
While the growth in equity was not confined to a particular region, the following cities have witnessed the most substantial median price increases over the past year:
- Racine, Wisconsin — 13.7%
- Youngstown, Ohio — 13.1%
- Syracuse, New York — 13%
- Peoria, Illinois — 12.4%
- Springfield, Illinois — 12.3%
- Burlington, Vermont — 11.7%
- Shreveport, Louisiana — 11.5%
- Rockford, Illinois — 11.1%
- Decatur, Illinois — 10.9%
- Norwich, Connecticut — 10.6%
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