How Your Home Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

If you own a home in Southwest Michigan, there’s a good chance you’re sitting on more equity than you realize—and that equity could completely change what’s possible for your next move. Whether you’re thinking about upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or buying your next home before selling, understanding your equity is one of the most powerful tools you have as a homeowner.

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth today and what you still owe on your mortgage. For many homeowners in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and surrounding areas, rising home values and years of steady payments have created significant equity—even without major renovations.

Example:If your home is worth $320,000 and you owe $190,000, you have $130,000 in equity.

That equity can open doors you may not have considered.

How Equity Can Expand Your Buying Power

Use Equity Toward Your Next Down Payment

Many homeowners use the proceeds from selling their current home as the down payment on their next one. This can mean:

• A larger or nicer home

• Lower monthly payments

• Avoiding or reducing private mortgage insurance (PMI)

In competitive Southwest Michigan markets, strong equity can also make your offer more attractive to sellers.

Buy Before You Sell

In some cases, equity allows homeowners to:

• Purchase their next home first

• Move once instead of twice

• Avoid temporary housing

This is especially helpful for families coordinating school schedules or job transitions.

Equity Can Create Lifestyle Flexibility

Downsizing With Financial Freedom

If you’re considering downsizing, your equity could:

• Eliminate or drastically reduce your mortgage

• Free up cash for travel, investments, or retirement

• Lower monthly expenses

Many Southwest Michigan homeowners are choosing smaller homes with newer layouts while keeping more money in their pocket.

Upsizing Without Overstretching

Growing families often assume upsizing means financial strain—but equity can bridge the gap. With a strong equity position, your next move may feel far more manageable than expected.

Why Local Equity Has Grown in Southwest Michigan

Home values in Kalamazoo County and surrounding areas have increased steadily over the past several years. Combined with historically low interest rates many homeowners locked in previously, this has created a unique opportunity for sellers who haven’t revisited their home’s value recently.

You don’t need a fully updated or “perfect” home to benefit—equity is often already there.

The First Step: Know Your Numbers

Before making any decisions, it’s important to understand:

• Your home’s current market value

• How much equity you truly have

• What that equity could mean for your next purchase

These numbers help determine your options and remove uncertainty from the process.

Ready to Explore What Your Equity Can Do?

The Keefer Fischer Team, led by Kerry Keefer Fischer, helps homeowners throughout Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and Southwest Michigan turn equity into opportunity. Whether you’re months away or just starting to think about your next move, we’re here to help you understand your options.

📍 Reach out to the Keefer Fischer Team today for a personalized home equity review and local market insights.