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What’s Your House Worth Now? The Answer May Surprise You

What’s Your House Worth Now? The Answer May Surprise You

Your Biggest Asset Might Be Growing Behind the Scenes

When was the last time you checked how much your home is worth?

You probably monitor your bank account regularly – but your home’s value? Maybe not as much. Yet, for most homeowners, your house is likely your largest financial asset. And if you’ve owned it for a few years or more, chances are good it’s been steadily building wealth for you in the background — and you might be surprised by just how much.


What Is Home Equity?

The wealth your home generates is called home equity. It’s the difference between what your house is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage.

As you pay down your mortgage and as home values rise, your equity grows.

Here’s a quick example:

  • If your home is worth $500,000 and you owe $200,000 on your loan, you have $300,000 in equity.
    That’s real, tangible wealth — and right now, many homeowners are sitting on record levels of equity.

According to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the average homeowner with a mortgage now has about $311,000 in equity. That’s a significant boost to your net worth without you even realizing it.


Why You Probably Have More Equity Than You Think

Two main factors are driving today’s record equity levels:

1. Significant Home Price Growth

Over the past five years, home prices have jumped over 57% nationwide, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

If you bought your home even just a few years ago, it's likely worth far more today — and that growth has fueled your equity in a big way.

![Map of Home Price Growth] (Insert map image here if you'd like.)

2. Longer Homeownership Trends

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average homeowner now stays in their home for about 10 years.

That’s longer than in previous decades. And over that time, steady mortgage payments plus price appreciation have quietly built substantial equity.

Here’s the real impact:

"Over the past decade, the typical homeowner has accumulated $201,600 in wealth solely from price appreciation." – NAR


What Could You Do With Your Equity?

Your home’s equity isn’t just a number — it’s an opportunity. Here’s how you could put it to work:

  • Upgrade to Your Next Home: Your equity could cover your next down payment — or even allow you to buy your next home with all cash.

  • Renovate and Add Value: Use your equity to renovate your current home to better fit your lifestyle, and potentially increase your property’s value even more.

  • Launch a Business or Pursue a Dream: If you’ve dreamed of starting a business or making a major life change, tapping into your equity could give you the financial foundation to do it.


Bottom Line:

Your house is probably worth more than you think.

Whether you’re considering selling, upgrading, investing, or simply want to know your options, understanding your home’s value — and the equity you’ve built — is the first step toward your next big move.

Curious about what your home could sell for today?
Let’s connect and talk through your options. We’re here to guide you toward making the smartest move for your future.

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Complaints prompt Carlsbad to remove traffic circles City will install all-way stop signs instead of roundabouts at two Kelly Drive intersections A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) By PHIL DIEHL | [email protected] | The San Diego Union-Tribune UPDATED: June 20, 2025 at 6:15 AM PDT Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to remove two traffic circles, or small roundabouts, that residents said were “a failed experiment” installed in 2013 as a pilot project. Homeowners near the traffic circles at two intersections on Kelly Drive said the traffic circles encourage speeding and create a safety hazard for children walking to the nearby Kelly Elementary School. “It is a mess, truly a mess,” said Sheila O’Neill, who volunteers as a crossing guard at the school. “The roundabout nudges cars closer to the crosswalk and kids crossing the street … all-way stops would be great. It would make next year so much better.” Traffic circles are different from roundabouts, although the terms often are used interchangeably. Traffic circles require less space and generally are placed in residential areas. Roundabouts are larger, sometimes with landscaping, usually have pedestrian crosswalks set back from the intersection, and are installed on busier streets and thoroughfares. Carlsbad approved the interim traffic circles for two intersections on Kelly Drive — at each side of Kelly Elementary School — one at Park Drive and the other at Hillside Drive. Each one is essentially a circle of small ceramic bumps or domes on the asphalt at the center of the intersection for vehicles to drive around. The bumps are small enough that cars can drive over without damage. “This was a well-intentioned experiment, but it’s time to acknowledge its failure,” said Steve Linke, a resident and former member of the city’s Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission. Council members agreed with the speakers. One of the options presented to the council was to proceed with a final design, environmental studies and permits for roundabouts to replace the Kelly Drive traffic circles. Instead, the council voted to remove the traffic circles, resurface the roadway with a slurry seal, and install all-way stop signs. Also, the council directed city staffers to consider the costs and benefits of other possible improvements such as bike lanes, crosswalks and curb ramps, and bring that information back at a future meeting. “It’s a good opportunity to step back, catch our breath and listen to what our residents are saying,” said Councilmember Keven Shin. “I feel like an all-way stop would create a lot of safety for the kids.” Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, shown at right, where underground pipeline work continue in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, at right, where underground pipeline work is underway in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Earlier this year, the City Council hit the brakes on the long-planned installation of a roundabout to replace the traffic signals at the beachfront intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard. That project also faced widespread community opposition. And the council has said that sometime soon it will reconsider a still unbuilt roundabout that it approved in 2023 for the intersection of Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard. Roundabouts and traffic circles are elements of a “complete streets” program that Carlsbad has been working on for several years. The program’s goal is to prioritize safety for everyone on the roads, whether they are driving, walking or biking. In March the City Council approved five traffic circles to be installed at intersections in the older downtown Barrio neighborhood starting in 2026. Barrio residents generally supported the installations because they are expected to help control traffic and reduce speeding. The city obtained about $4 million in federal funding for the Barrio traffic circles. Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM PDT

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