For many Scottsdale homeowners, their home is more than just a place to live. It is often their largest financial asset.

As home values have increased over the past several years, many homeowners have accumulated significant equity without fully realizing how much their property may be worth today. In 2026, more Scottsdale homeowners are paying closer attention to their home equity and using that information to make smarter financial decisions.

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the difference between your home’s current market value and the remaining balance on your mortgage.

For example, if your home is worth $800,000 and you owe $400,000 on your mortgage, you have approximately $400,000 in equity.

As home values rise and mortgage balances decrease over time, equity can become an important financial resource.

Why Scottsdale Homeowners Are Paying More Attention

The Scottsdale housing market has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Many homeowners who purchased homes several years ago may be surprised by how much equity they have accumulated.

Understanding your equity position can help with:

• Future home purchases
• Investment property opportunities
• Home improvement projects
• Retirement planning
• Refinancing decisions
• Debt consolidation strategies

Even if you have no plans to move, knowing where you stand financially can help you make more informed decisions.

Home Equity and Retirement Planning

Many Scottsdale homeowners approaching retirement are evaluating how their home equity fits into their overall financial picture.

In some cases, home equity can provide flexibility through downsizing, relocation, or specialized mortgage solutions designed for homeowners age 62 and older.

Every situation is different, but understanding your available equity is often the first step.

Technology Makes Tracking Easier Than Ever

One of the biggest changes in recent years is the ability for homeowners to monitor their property’s estimated value and equity position on an ongoing basis.

Instead of waiting until they are ready to sell or refinance, many homeowners now track their home’s performance just like they monitor investment accounts or retirement portfolios.

This provides greater visibility into one of their most valuable assets.

Stay Informed About Your Home’s Value

Whether you’re planning to move, refinance, invest, or simply stay informed, understanding your home’s value and equity position is an important part of long-term financial planning.

If you’re curious about your home’s current value, you can use my free Home Value Tracker to receive personalized insights and ongoing updates about your property.

After more than 30 years helping homeowners navigate mortgage and real estate decisions, I’ve found that informed homeowners make better financial decisions. Understanding your equity is a great place to start.

Mark Merry
Senior Branch Manager
Granite Bank
NMLS #452552