Found 184 blog entries tagged as Equity.


Have you been dreaming about upgrading to a bigger or nicer home in Brookings, South Dakota, or the surrounding area? If so, you’re definitely not alone. A recent survey by Inman highlights that many homebuyers are on the hunt for more space or better features in their next home. Whether it’s an extra bedroom, a larger kitchen, or simply a home in a more desirable neighborhood, moving up is top of mind for many homeowners today.

But maybe you’ve been holding off because of concerns about market conditions or affordability. It’s understandable—planning a move that could raise your housing costs requires careful timing. Here’s the good news: now could actually be the ideal time to make that upgrade. Here’s why you might want to consider taking the…

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If you’ve been renting for a while, you’ve probably wondered when the time will come when buying makes more sense than continuing to rent. Well, good news—recent data suggests that time might be now! According to a recent Zillow study, in 22 of the 50 largest metro areas across the country, monthly mortgage payments are now lower than rent (see chart below for the numbers). While Brookings, South Dakota, isn’t one of these major metro areas, the trends we’re seeing nationwide could mean that buying a home in our area may soon become a more affordable option.

The Current Market: What’s Changing?

As mortgage rates ease from their recent peak and home prices stabilize, the affordability of purchasing a home is improving across the board. In many…

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It’s a big question on many people’s minds these days: Should I buy a home now or wait? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to move into a new property, the decision comes with a lot of factors to weigh. The good news is, once you purchase a home, you immediately begin to build equity—and that can add up faster than you might expect, even with more modest increases in home prices.

So, let’s take a look at what’s happening with home prices and what that means for your future wealth.

Home Prices Are Expected to Keep Rising

Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES), which gathers insights from over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and market strategists. They predict home prices will…

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If you're considering selling your home in Brookings, SD, you're not alone. Whether it’s the idea of downsizing, relocating, or moving closer to loved ones, there are plenty of reasons to make a change. But when it comes to selling a home in today’s housing market, you might be wondering about one critical factor: affordability. Here’s the good news—your home equity could play a significant role in making that decision easier. Let’s explore two key elements that influence how much equity you have and what that could mean for you.

How Long You’ve Lived in Your Home

One of the most important factors when it comes to home equity is how long you’ve lived in your current home. This is referred to as homeowner tenure. Back in the day—between 1985 and…

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Thinking about selling your house but unsure if now’s the right time? It’s a question many homeowners face, and while the financial aspects are always important, there’s another big factor to consider: your lifestyle. Sometimes, life’s changes can be the nudge you need to make a move sooner than expected.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), lifestyle changes often drive the decision to sell. As shown in the annual report, many home sellers were motivated by the desire to be closer to family or friends, outgrowing their current home, or experiencing significant milestones like marriage or the arrival of a new baby. Others made the leap to downsize or relocate for work.


If you’re feeling the need for more space, better …

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Have you ever heard the phrase: don’t believe everything you hear? That’s especially true if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in today’s housing market. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. And right now, making sure you have someone you can go to for trustworthy information is extra important.

If you partner with a real estate agent, they can clear up some common misconceptions and reassure you by backing them up with research-driven facts. Here are just a few misconceptions they can help disprove.

1. I’ll Get a Better Deal Once Prices Crash

If you’ve heard home prices are going to come crashing down, it’s time to look at what’s actually happening. While prices vary by local market, there’s a lot of data out there…

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Curious about selling your home? Understanding how much equity you have is the first step to unlocking what you can afford when you move. And since home prices rose so much over the past few years, most people have much more equity than they may realize.

Here’s a deeper look at what you need to know if you’re ready to cash in on your investment and put your equity toward your next home.

Home Equity: What Is It and How Much Do You Have?

Home equity is the difference between how much your house is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $400,000 and you only owe $200,000 on your mortgage, your equity would be $200,000.

Recent data from the Census and ATTOM shows Americans have significant…

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If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to buy a home, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates and home prices, the limited supply of homes for sale, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make.

While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own personal situation and your finances matter too. As an article from NerdWallet says:

“Housing market trends give important context. But whether this is a good time to buy a house also depends on your financial situation, life goals and readiness to become a homeowner.”

Instead of trying to time the market, focus on what you can control. Here are a few questions…

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Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love. As you imagine this exciting new chapter in your life, it's important to think about whether your current home still fits your needs.

If it's too big, too costly, or just not convenient anymore, downsizing might help you make the most of your retirement years. To find out if a smaller, more manageable home might be the perfect fit for your new lifestyle, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do the original reasons I bought my current house still stand, or have my needs changed since then?
  • Do I really need and want the space I have right now, or could somewhere smaller be a better fit?
  • What are my housing expenses right now, and how much do I want to try to…

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If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you're building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works.

Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.

Over the past year, there have still been more people wanting to buy than there are homes available for sale, and that’s pushed prices up. That rise in prices has translated directly into increasing equity for homeowners.

How Much Equity Have You Earned over the Past 12 Months?

According to the latest Homeowner Equity Insights from CoreLogic, the average homeowner's equity has grown by $28,000 in the last year alone.

That's the national average, so if you want to…

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