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

May 1, 2025

Let’s talk about something you might not check nearly as often as your bank account – and that’s how much your home is worth. But when it comes to your financial situation, it’s an important thing to remember. When’s the last time you had a professional show you the value of your home?

Think about it. For most people, your house is probably the biggest asset you have. And if you’ve owned your home for a few years (or longer), chances are it’s been quietly building wealth for you in the background. And honestly? You might be surprised by just how much. 


What Is Home Equity?


This wealth you may not even realize you have comes in the form of home equity. Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. It grows over time as home values rise and as you pay down your mortgage each month. Here’s an example to help you really understand how this works.

Let’s say your house is now worth $500,000, and you have $200,000 left to pay off on your loan. That means you have $300,000 in equity. And most homeowners are sitting on some pretty significant equity right now.


According to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $311,000 in equity.


Why You Probably Have More Than You Think



Here are the two main reasons homeowners like you have record amounts of equity right now:

1. Significant Home Price Growth. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home prices have jumped by more than 57% nationwide over the last five years (see map below):


And if you purchased your home a few years ago (or more), this means your house is likely worth much more now than when you first bought it, thanks to how much prices have climbed lately.



2. People Are Living in Their Homes Longer. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shows the average homeowner stays in their home for about 10 years now (see graph below)


That’s longer than it used to be. And over that decade? You’ve built equity just by making your mortgage payments and riding the wave of rising home values.

So, if you’re one of those people who’s been in their home for that long, here’s how much the behind-the-scenes price growth has helped you out. According to NAR:

“Over the past decade, the typical homeowner has accumulated $201,600 in wealth solely from price appreciation.”
What Could You Actually Do with That Equity?

Remember, your house might be your biggest financial asset – and, if you’re smart about how you leverage your equity, it could open up some exciting opportunities for your future.

  • Use it to help buy your next home. Your equity could help you cover the down payment on your next home. In some cases, it might even mean you can buy your next house in all cash.
  • Renovate your current house to better suit your life now. And, if you’re strategic about your projects, they could add even more value to your home if you do sell later on.
  • Start the business you’ve always dreamed of. Your equity could be exactly what you need for startup costs, equipment, or marketing. And that could help increase your earning potential, so you’re getting yet another financial boost.

Bottom Line

Chances are, your house is worth a lot more than you realize. Whether you’re thinking about selling, upgrading, or simply want to understand your options, your equity isn’t just a number. It’s a tool.

If you sold your house and had significant equity to work with, what would you do with it? Let’s figure out how to turn your home’s value into your next big move.


July 11, 2025
Homeowners to benefit from increased property tax savings starting next year Good news for Frisco homeowners: the City Council has officially approved raising the homestead property tax exemption to 20% , the maximum allowed by the state of Texas . The decision was made unanimously on July 1 and will go into effect for the 2025 tax year . What does this mean for homeowners? With this increase, the average Frisco homeowner is expected to save around $120 per year on city property taxes. While this might not sound like much at first glance, it adds up over time — and when combined with other exemptions, the savings can be even more significant. Frisco has gradually increased this exemption over the years: 7.5% in 2017 12.5% in 2022 15% in 2023 Now reaching the full 20% allowed by law Why now? City officials explained that this was the right time to increase the exemption due to a sharp rise in property values. In fact, Frisco saw a 14% increase in its taxable value — totaling nearly $6.9 billion in new value. This growth gave the city financial flexibility to offer greater tax relief without cutting essential services. What about the budget? According to Frisco’s Chief Financial Officer, the new exemption was carefully timed to meet deadlines for the upcoming fiscal year. The city will still be able to fully fund police, fire, infrastructure, and other services, while homeowners get a break on their tax bill. The slight shift in tax responsibility will largely be absorbed by commercial properties, which will make up a slightly larger share of the overall tax base. Additional relief for seniors and people with disabilities In addition to the 20% homestead exemption, homeowners aged 65 or older — or those with qualifying disabilities — will continue to receive an extra $80,000 exemption on their home’s appraised value. These residents also benefit from a property tax freeze , meaning their city property taxes won’t increase regardless of rising home values. Big picture: more relief could be coming This move comes at a time when Texas lawmakers are also working on additional property tax cuts statewide, including increased school tax exemptions. Combined with Frisco’s local efforts, homeowners could see some of the largest property tax savings in recent years . Bottom line: If you own and live in a home in Frisco, you’re about to get some well-deserved tax relief. The 20% homestead exemption not only helps homeowners save money — it reflects the city’s commitment to balancing growth with long-term financial responsibility. 
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