The average American homeowner lost $9,200 in home equity during the last year. It’s not a collapse but a ‘long-term market correction’

Core Insights - Homeownership is viewed as a significant financial decision, being the largest asset class in the financial market, with the 30-year mortgage facilitating access to the American Dream [1] - Homeownership allows individuals to build equity and wealth over time, particularly during the pandemic when home prices saw substantial increases [2] Market Trends - Following aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve in 2023, home-price appreciation has stagnated or declined, resulting in an average loss of approximately $9,200 in equity for American homeowners over the past year [3] - The transition from explosive home equity growth to a plateau is attributed to slowing price appreciation, high borrowing costs, and supply imbalances, indicating a long-term market correction rather than a collapse [4] Home Equity Statistics - Despite recent challenges, the average U.S. homeowner still possesses about $307,000 in accumulated home equity, marking the third-highest figure on record [4] - In markets experiencing price declines, such as Washington, D.C. and Florida, average equity remains substantial at nearly $350,000 and $290,000, respectively, despite home prices dropping by $34,000 and $32,000 [5] Overall Equity Landscape - Total homeowner equity for borrowers with a mortgage reached $17.5 trillion in Q2 2025, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 0.8% or $141.5 billion [6] - The number of homes with negative equity increased by 18% year-over-year, totaling 1.15 million homes, indicating a growing concern for homeowners in certain markets [6]