Homeowners Have $17.8 Trillion in Home Equity — Why Do They Still Feel Pinched?

Core Insights - U.S. homeowners currently have record-high home equity of $17.8 trillion, yet many feel financially strained due to economic conditions [1] - A significant portion of homeowners (54%) express uncertainty or pessimism about the economy, with 40% feeling worse off financially compared to the previous year [1] Group 1: Economic Conditions - Home equity is perceived as "paper wealth," which cannot be easily converted into cash for daily expenses, leading to financial strain [3] - Rising inflation has outpaced wage growth, contributing to a lack of optimism regarding pay increases among workers [4] Group 2: Mortgage Rates and Lock-In Effect - A large majority (80.3%) of U.S. homeowners have mortgage rates below 6%, with over half (52.5%) below 4%, creating a reluctance to sell and take on new higher-interest loans [5] - The "lock-in effect" has resulted in tight housing inventory, as homeowners are hesitant to give up low-rate mortgages despite a desire to move [6] Group 3: Emergency Savings - Many homeowners lack sufficient emergency savings, with over a third having less than $1,000 saved, which exacerbates financial pressure despite high home equity [7]