Definition of "Equity Appreciation "

Lydia Spink real estate agent

Written by

Lydia Spinkelite badge icon

United County Talking Rock Realty

The American Dream has cemented the role of homeownership into the collective conscience of the US population. Homeownership provides a place for families to stay that is their own, as well as the means to build equity. Before we get into analyzing what equity appreciation is, let’s first understand what equity is.

Equity or home equity is the difference between your home’s worth and the value you own on your mortgage. For example, a house bought for $300,000 with a $30,000 down payment, leaving $270,000 in the loan amount. To determine your home equity, you have to subtract the outstanding balance from the price paid for the home. When you buy the home, your equity is $30,000, and this grows with each mortgage payment. When you pay off your whole mortgage, your equity is 100%.

What is Equity Appreciation?

Equity appreciation results from home equity that increases due to appreciation. This is one of the two ways through which anyone can build their equity. The first method is mentioned above, by paying off your mortgage, but the second one deals with the market value of your home.

It is highly unlikely that your home value will remain the same after you purchase it. This value can go up and down, but the national average when it comes to property appreciation is 3%. Because of this, once you purchase a home, if it’s well maintained and prices in the neighborhood are appreciating, your home equity will also appreciate. Meaning that while your home equity grows from $30,000 with every monthly mortgage payment, it can also grow because of home appreciation. So, based on the example above, a $300,000 home that appreciates by 3% annually will have an increased home value of $403,000 (rounded up) in ten years.

Through equity appreciation, you can reach financial stability. However, there is no way to ensure your home equity will appreciate, but a market analysis can help as some areas appreciate faster than others. Economic conditions can also lead to property depreciation, but if you don’t maintain your home, this can also be a result.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Property owned and held jointly and equally shared by each spouse. It is purchased during their marriage, regardless of the wage-earning situation of either spouse. A spouse may not make a ...

The term comparables is used to better determine the value an asset has when compared to others, similar to it. Real estate comparables are used in assessments to determine a house’s ...

The cost of property, such as a home owned for tax purposes. For example, a home was purchased for $150,000. capital improvements to it cost $15,000. The house was later sold for $230,000. ...

Tenancy that may be terminated by one party- the tenant or the landlord- at any time. The agreement may be in writing or oral. For example, Jack has an oral agreement to use Christine's ...

Highest amount a property is worth equal to the amount that would have to be paid to buy equivalent property in the market place. ...

Loan with a significant down payment with the balance being paid in equal periodic payments over a short time period. There is no interest charge. An example is when a seller of real ...

Descriptive of a property boundary that follows the course of a river or estuary. For example, a land description may say its boundary follows "the meander of the river" meaning the ...

Certificate issued by the government showing evidence that the veteran is qualified and the amount of guarantee available to maintain a VA loan. It is one of the documents necessary to ...

Buyer agrees to accept the responsibility for the existing mortgage. The seller is not relieved of the obligation unless the lender agrees to release it. Many lenders charge points and ...

Popular Real Estate Questions