Americans collectively hold almost $35 trillion in housing wealth, a nearly 80% increase since early 2020 (Federal Reserve). Yet, despite this unprecedented equity accumulation, many homeowners feel less financially secure than ever. A recent Hometap survey found that almost half (54.5%) of homeowners report feeling financially stressed, with 46% citing rising housing costs as their top concern. This contradiction is at the heart of today’s housing market, where aspiring buyers face soaring entry costs and existing homeowners face both high costs to stay in their homes and frustration that their wealth is trapped in their properties.
