7 Smart Ways to Build Home Equity
July 14, 2023
Owning a home is a significant financial milestone for many, but beyond the pride of home ownership, your home can also serve as a powerful financial asset. The more equity you build in your home—the difference between your home’s value and the amount you owe on your mortgage—the stronger your financial security becomes. Home equity can be used for multiple purposes, including funding renovations, paying off high-interest debts, or even investing in a new property. So, how can you smartly build home equity? Here are some useful strategies.
1. Make a Large Down Payment
The journey towards building home equity begins when you first purchase your home. If you can afford it, making a sizable down payment is a smart move. A larger down payment means a smaller loan amount, which means you automatically start off with a larger chunk of equity in your home.
2. Choose a Short-Term Mortgage
While longer-term mortgages might have lower monthly payments, a shorter-term mortgage allows you to build equity at a much quicker pace. For instance, you pay off a larger portion of the principal balance earlier with a 15-year mortgage than with a 30-year mortgage.
3. Pay More Than the Minimum
Paying more than the minimum payment required each month is another effective strategy. Any extra payments directly lower your mortgage balance and thus help you accumulate equity faster. You could consider making biweekly payments, which add up to one extra monthly payment each year, or just add an extra amount to your regular monthly payment.
4. Consider Home Improvement Projects
Improving your home can be an excellent way to increase its value and thus build more equity. It could be anything from renovating your kitchen or bathrooms to adding an energy-efficient heating system or solar panels. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the cost of the improvements will be reflected in a proportionate increase in your home’s value.
5. Maintain and Repair Your Home
Regular maintenance and timely repairs are crucial for preserving your home’s value and preventing depreciation. Simple actions like regular deep cleaning, repainting, repairing leaking pipes, or replacing worn-out fixtures can make a significant difference in maintaining your home’s value over time.
6. Wait for Property Values to Increase
While you don’t have control over the real estate market, you can benefit from the general trend that property values tend to increase over time. If you’re not in a rush, staying in your home for a longer period can allow your equity to build naturally as your property value goes up.
7. Rent Out a Room or Section of Your Home
If your home has an extra room or a separate living space, consider renting it out. The additional income can be used to pay off your mortgage faster, thereby helping you to build equity.
Building home equity is a long-term financial strategy that requires patience and smart decision-making. While some factors, like market conditions, are outside your control, there’s still plenty you can do to increase your home equity. Remember, the decisions you make today can have a significant impact on your financial security and wealth for years to come. Whether you choose to make a larger down payment, opt for a shorter-term mortgage, or invest in home improvements, every bit contributes to growing your equity—and your financial freedom.