Thinking About Selling in the Valley? Your Home Equity May Be Your Biggest Advantage
If you live in the Valley, you’ve probably asked yourself this question recently: Is now really a good time to sell?
With interest rates still top of mind and the market shifting over the past few years, it’s a fair question. But for many Valley homeowners, the answer may be more encouraging than expected and it comes down to one key factor: equity.
Thanks to long-term appreciation, strong demand, and years of ownership, many homeowners across the Valley are sitting on a significant amount of untapped value. And for some, that equity could make their next move far more achievable than they realize.
Why Equity Looks Different in the Valley
Home equity grows in two main ways: as you pay down your mortgage and as your home’s value increases over time. In the Valley, both of those trends have worked strongly in homeowners’ favor.
Many neighborhoods across the area have seen steady appreciation over the last decade, driven by limited inventory, lifestyle appeal, and continued demand from buyers looking for space, privacy, and proximity to both the city and the coast.
According to national data from Realtor.com, nearly 45% of homeowners have lived in their homes for more than 15 years, and one in four for more than 25 years. In the Valley, long-term ownership is especially common which means many homeowners have quietly built substantial equity without even realizing it.
What That Equity Could Mean for You
To put things into perspective, recent data shows how powerful long-term ownership can be:
- Homeowners who bought in the mid-1990s may now have over $400,000 in equity
- Those who purchased in the early 2000s often hold $300,000 or more
- Even buyers from around 2015 may already have nearly $285,000 in equity
In many Valley neighborhoods where lot sizes are larger and demand remains strong those numbers can be even higher depending on location, upgrades, and market conditions.
The key takeaway? A lot of homeowners are sitting on far more value than they think.
How Equity Can Open Doors in Today’s Market
This is where equity becomes a powerful tool.
If you’ve been hesitant to make a move because of interest rates or affordability, your equity could help bridge the gap. A larger down payment can reduce monthly costs, improve loan terms, or even allow for a more competitive offer.
For some homeowners, equity creates the opportunity to:
- Move up to a larger or better-located home
- Downsize and reduce monthly expenses
- Purchase closer to work, schools, or lifestyle amenities
- Buy with more flexibility in a competitive market
In certain situations, strong equity can even make cash or near-cash offers possible — a major advantage in today’s environment.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to be planning a move tomorrow to benefit from understanding your home’s value. But knowing how much equity you’ve built gives you clarity, leverage, and options whether you’re thinking about selling this year or simply planning ahead.
The Valley remains one of Southern California’s most desirable places to live, and homeowners here are uniquely positioned thanks to long-term appreciation and limited inventory.
If you’re curious about what your home may be worth, or how your equity could support your next move, a local real estate expert can help you break down the numbers and explore your options with confidence.
