While growing up, we were taught by our parents and grandparents that owning a home is a financially savvy move. They explained how a mortgage is like a “forced savings plan.” When you pay rent, that money is lost forever. When you make a mortgage payment, much of that money accumulates as equity in the home. So, what exactly is equity?
The equity in your home is the amount of money you can sell it for minus what you still owe on the mortgage. Every month you make a mortgage payment, and every month a portion of what you pay reduces the amount you owe. That reduction of your mortgage every month increases your equity.
A recent study by CoreLogic explained that homeowners gained substantial equity over the last twelve months, and are essentially sitting on large sums of cash in their homes. In the study, Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist for CoreLogic explained:
“The CoreLogic Home Price Index recorded a quickening of home price gains during the fourth quarter of 2019, helping to boost home equity wealth. The average family with a mortgage had a $7,300 gain in home equity during the past year, and a total of $177,000 in home equity wealth.”
For most families, their home is their largest financial asset. This increase in equity drives the net worth, or family wealth, of the homeowner. Renters are not earning that benefit. Instead, they’re building the net worth of their landlord.
Colorado Springs and the greater El Paso county area has seen great growth in home equity. Based on recent market stats the average home price is approaching $400,000, currently at $371,000. In comparison, just 10 years ago the average home price in Colorado Springs was $218,000. So if you bought a home 10 years ago you’d be up on average $153,000 in home equity. The Colorado Springs real estate market is hot, even with COVID-19.
Below is a year by year growth chart of the average home sales price in Colorado Springs.
Buying a home in the Colorado Springs area has paid off, and we believe we will see continued equity growth for many years to come.
Bottom Line
Home price growth will moderate during the pandemic. But once a cure is available, most experts agree that home values will again begin to appreciate at levels similar to what we’ve seen over the last several years. In the long run, our family elders will be proven correct: owning a home is a savvy financial move.
More Resources
- What If I Need To Sell My Home In Colorado Springs? What Can I Do?
- How To Find The Perfect Real Estate Agent
- Colorado Springs Homebuyers Want Lower Prices. Seller Disagree.
- How Technology Is Helping Colorado Springs Home Buyers Navigate The Home Search Process
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