At some point, a house that once felt perfect just… doesn’t anymore.

Maybe you need more space.

Maybe working from home turned your dining room into a permanent office.

Maybe the layout just doesn’t match how you live now.

If your current house is starting to feel like it’s holding you back instead of supporting your life, it’s natural to think about making a move. But that brings up the next big question: once you sell, where do you go?

For a growing number of buyers, the answer is something brand new.

New Construction Is a More Popular Choice Lately

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more people are buying new homes than they have in years. The latest annual data available shows 16% of homes purchased were newly built.

At first glance you may not see why that’s a big deal. But that’s actually the highest share of new home purchases in almost two decades.

Why More Buyers Are Choosing a Brand-New Construction

For many buyers, especially move-up buyers, new construction isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about lifestyle, convenience, and peace of mind.

1. Everything Is Brand New

You’re not inheriting someone else’s projects. No wondering how old the roof is. No budgeting for a new HVAC right after move-in. No big surprises when the previous owners patch job fails. For move-up buyers who’ve been dumping money into updating their current house, that’s a win.

2. You Can Customize Before Move In

If you choose a home that’s still under construction, you could have the chance to pick the flooring, counters, cabinets, hardware, lighting, and so much more. That level of personalization can be a draw for move-up buyers like you, because it allows you to hand pick the fit and finishes you’ve been wanting for so long.

3. A Home Designed for How People Live Today

Most new construction homes are built to current building standards and buyer preferences, which means you could see built-in smart home features, better energy efficiency (which can lower utility bills), and even more modern floor plans and features. And if your layout just isn’t working for you anymore, you may find exactly what you need now in a new home.

4. Neighborhood Amenities

New developments often include shared community spaces like walking trails, parks, playgrounds, or even pools and gyms. For families and active households, that’s a big bonus to have that just a few steps out of their front door.

5. Builder Incentives

Not to mention, since there are more new homes on the market than the norm, builders are motivated to sell what they have. So, you may find they’re more willing to negotiate than you’d expect on things like price, upgrades, and more.

Bottom Line

If your current house isn’t meeting your needs anymore, don’t assume your only choice is an existing home. New construction is becoming a real contender, especially for move-up buyers who want space, features, and a home that works for how they live now.

Curious whether new construction might be a fit for you? Talk to a local real estate agent.

You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down.

Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life.

How Much Equity Does the Typical Homeowner Have?

Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your home that you own free and clear grows. That’s your equity.

And according to data from the Census and ATTOM, two-thirds of homeowners have a substantial amount of it today.

39% own their home outright without owing anything on it. And another 27% have at least 50% equity in their homes (see chart below):

That’s a big deal. And just in case you’re wondering how that translates into real dollars, Cotality says the typical homeowner has almost $300k in equity today. That’s six figures.

And whether you have that much, even more, or a bit less, here are a few examples of how you can use it. 

Ways You Could Use Your Home Equity

1. Move Into a Home That Better Fits Your Life

Your needs change over time. Maybe your home is starting to feel cramped, or maybe you have more space than you need now that your adult children have moved out. Either way, you can use your equity as a down payment on a home that’s a better fit for what you need now, and going forward. You may even have enough equity to buy your next house in cash.

2. Upgrade Your Current Home

And if you’re not ready to move just yet, you could reinvest it in your current home instead. Renovations like a kitchen refresh or updated bathrooms could add value when it’s time to sell down the line. Just be sure to talk to a real estate agent before you tackle your project list, so you can prioritize updates that’ll give you the biggest return later on.

3. Fund a Major Life Goal

Equity can also help fund your life goals – whether it’s starting a business, saving for retirement, covering education costs, or helping out someone you love. Some homeowners are even passing down some of that wealth to help fund a loved one’s down payment on a home.

4. Avoid Foreclosure in Tough Times

If you’re struggling with payments, your equity can also be a lifeline. Many homeowners who hit financial hardships can sell their homes and walk away with money in their pockets instead of facing foreclosure. If that’s something on your mind, talk to a real estate expert about your options and how your equity can help. 

Your Next Steps

If you’re interested in using your equity for one of the reasons above, here’s what to do:

• Step 1: Ask a local agent for a personalized equity assessment on your home.
• Step 2: Meet with a financial advisor if you’re interested in using that equity.

Because when it comes to tapping into this resource, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind – like making sure you still have a good loan-to-value ratio (LTV) even if you use some of your equity.

That means, as a general rule of thumb, you want to maintain at least 20% equity in your home as a financial cushion – something many homeowners didn’t know back in the crash of 2008.

The good news is, according to the Intercontinental Exchange, most of today’s equity meets that guideline:

“As of Q4, mortgage holders have $17.3T in home equity, including $11.2T in tappable equity ‒ accessible via cash-out refinances or home equity lines while maintaining 20% equity in the property . . . ”

Bottom Line

Your home equity is one of the biggest financial assets you have. Whether you’re thinking about moving, remodeling, or working toward a big goal, it’s worth exploring your options. Reach out to a financial advisor to learn more.

What’s one goal you have that you’d go after right now, if you had the funds for it?

For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real.

According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. And the latest data shows as many as 15% of those older Americans are planning to retire in 2026. And another 23% will do the same in 2027.

If you’re considering retiring soon too, here’s what you should be thinking about.

Why Downsize?

Now’s the perfect time to reflect on what you want your life to look like in retirement. Because even though your finances will be going through a big change, you don’t necessarily want to feel like you’re living with less.

But odds are, what you do want is for life to feel easier.

Easier to enjoy.

Easier to manage.

Easier to maintain day-to-day.

The Top Reasons People Over 60 Move

You can see these benefits show up in the data when you look at why people over 60 are moving. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds the top 4 reasons aren’t about timing the market or chasing top dollar. They’re about lifestyle:

• Being closer to children, grandchildren, or long-time friends so it’s easier to spend more time with the people who matter most
• Wanting a smaller, more functional home with fewer stairs and easier upkeep
• Retiring and no longer needing to live near the office, so it’s easier to move wherever you want
• Opting for something smaller to reduce monthly expenses tied to utilities, insurance, and maintenance

No matter the reason, the theme is the same: downsizing isn’t about giving something up. It’s about gaining control and choosing simplicity. And it brings peace of mind to know your home fits the years ahead, not the years behind.

And the best part? It’s more financially feasible now than many homeowners would expect.

The #1 Thing Helping So Many Homeowners Downsize

Here’s the part that makes it possible. Thanks to how much home values have grown over the years, many longtime homeowners are realizing they’re in a stronger position than they thought to make that move.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner today has about $299,000 in home equity. And for older Americans, that number is often even higher – simply because they’ve lived in their homes longer.

When you stay in one place for years (or even decades), two things happen at the same time:

• Your home value has time to grow.
• Your mortgage balance shrinks or disappears altogether.

That combination creates more options than you’d expect, even in today’s market.

So, whether you just retired, or you’re about to, it’s not too soon to start thinking about what comes next. Sure, it can be hard to leave the house you made so many years of memories in, but maybe it’s time to close one chapter to open a new one that’s just as exciting. 

Bottom Line

Downsizing is about setting yourself up for what comes next – on your terms.

If retirement is on the horizon and you’ve started wondering what your current house (and your equity) could make possible, the first step isn’t selling. It’s understanding your options.

It’s time to talk to an agent. A simple, no-pressure conversation can help you see what downsizing might look like – and whether it makes sense for you.