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How to Know Your Current Home Equity
🌴 How to Know Your Current Home Equity in SE Florida (2026 Guide for Homeowners)
If you’re a homeowner in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding communities, understanding your current home equity is one of the smartest financial steps you can take. Equity is simply the portion of your home you truly own, and in SE Florida’s fast‑moving coastal market, it can shift more quickly than many people realize.
Here’s how to calculate it — and why working with a local real estate professional gives you the most accurate picture.
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Start With Your Home’s True Market Value
Your home’s current value is the foundation of your equity. While online estimates can be a starting point, they often miss the nuances that matter most in SE Florida, such as:
- Waterfront premiums and canal access
- Impact windows, roof age, and insurance‑friendly upgrades
- Neighborhood micro‑trends within 0.25 miles
- Condo reserve strength and milestone inspection status
- Local development (Dania Pointe, Brightline expansion, new parks)
- Seasonal buyer demand and relocation patterns
This is where a local real estate agent becomes invaluable. An experienced SE Florida agent understands how these factors influence value street‑by‑street — something algorithms simply cannot do. A professional CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) reflects real buyer behavior, real neighborhood trends, and real market conditions.
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Subtract Your Current Loan Balances
Once you know your home’s true market value, subtract:
- Your remaining mortgage principal
- Any HELOCs or second mortgages
- Any solar or improvement loans tied to the property
Your lender’s portal will show your exact payoff amount.
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Consider SE Florida‑Specific Equity Factors
Our region has unique variables that directly affect equity:
- Insurance requirements — newer roofs, impact windows, and updated systems increase value
- Flood zone changes — Risk Rating 2.0 impacts desirability and premiums
- Waterfront infrastructure — seawall condition, dock permits, and canal depth matter
- HOA/condo reserves — strong reserves boost value; deferred maintenance lowers it
- Local revitalization — walkability improvements and new businesses raise neighborhood equity
A local agent tracks these shifts in real time, ensuring your equity estimate reflects today’s realities — not outdated data.
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The Simple Formula
Once you have your numbers:
Current Market Value – Total Loan Balances = Your Home Equity
Example: If your home is worth $750,000 and you owe $310,000, your equity is $440,000.
🌺 Why a Local Agent Gives You the Most Accurate Equity Picture
Equity isn’t just a number — it’s a reflection of your home’s position in the current market. A seasoned SE Florida agent:
- Knows how buyers value specific upgrades
- Understands neighborhood micro‑trends
- Accounts for insurance and inspection realities
- Recognizes lifestyle-driven demand (walkability, waterfront access, outdoor living)
- Provides a personalized valuation rooted in real data, not generic algorithms
This ensures you’re making decisions based on true equity, not guesswork.
🌞 Smart Ways to Use Your Home Equity
If you’re considering tapping into your equity, the wisest uses are those that strengthen your financial stability or improve your lifestyle. Many SE Florida homeowners use equity to:
- Upgrade roofs, windows, or systems to reduce insurance costs
- Renovate kitchens, baths, or outdoor spaces
- Consolidate high‑interest debt
- Purchase a second home or investment property
- Downsize into a simpler, low‑maintenance lifestyle
As your local SE Florida real estate resource, I’m here to help you understand exactly where your equity stands — with real data, neighborhood insight, and the kind of street‑level expertise no online estimate can match. If you’re ready for a personalized equity check or want to explore what your equity could unlock in today’s market, reach out anytime. Your home’s next chapter starts with clarity, confidence, and a trusted local expert by your side. 🌴✨
CONTACT ANNETTE
Let’s start working together!
Annette Dammeyer, REALTOR®, ABR®, AHWD®
Coldwell Banker Realty
901 E Las Olas Blvd STE 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
808.747.3686
SL 3535792
Fort Lauderdale July 2026 Area Report
Fort Lauderdale July 2026 real estate statistics have been published.
Single Family Homes
Condominium & Townhouses
As a local REALTOR® who follows our market closely, here are the key takeaways from the latest Fort Lauderdale market report. Overall, we’re seeing fewer new listings, rising prices, and improving conditions in the single-family home market, while the condo market continues to offer buyers more choices and negotiating power.
Single-Family Homes: Strong Prices, Less Competition
- New listings were down 25.2% from last July, meaning fewer homes are coming onto the market.
- Sales remained steady with the same number of homes sold as last year.
- The median sold price increased nearly 15% year-over-year, reaching $613,375.
- Homes sold faster, with median days on market dropping from 63 days to 47 days.
- Sellers received about 96.4% of their asking price on average.
What it means: The single-family home market remains resilient. Limited inventory is helping support home values, and well-priced properties are attracting buyers relatively quickly.
Condo & Townhouse Market: More Opportunities for Buyers
- New condo listings fell 36.7% compared to last year.
- Closed sales declined nearly 19% year-over-year.
- Despite slower sales, the median sold price increased 25.7%, reaching $477,500.
- Condos are taking longer to sell, averaging 126 days on market.
- Sellers are receiving about 94% of their asking price.
What it means: Condo buyers have more time to evaluate options and negotiate, while sellers need to focus on competitive pricing and presentation.
Inventory Snapshot
- Single-family homes have approximately 5.7 months of inventory, close to a balanced market.
- Condos have approximately 8.8 months of inventory, giving buyers more leverage.
My Advice to Buyers
If you’re shopping for a home, don’t focus only on headlines about interest rates. In Fort Lauderdale, inventory remains limited for single-family homes, and prices continue to rise. Being prepared and acting quickly on the right property can make a difference. Condo buyers may find more negotiating opportunities and a wider selection.
My Advice to Sellers
The data shows buyers are still purchasing homes, especially in the single-family segment. However, today’s buyers are value-conscious. Strategic pricing, strong marketing, and excellent presentation remain critical to attracting offers and maximizing your sale price.
Bottom Line: Fort Lauderdale’s housing market remains healthy, with home values continuing to appreciate. Single-family homes favor sellers more than condos, while condo buyers enjoy greater inventory and negotiation opportunities. Whether buying or selling, success depends on understanding the unique conditions of your specific neighborhood and property type.
Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on your home’s value, the Fort Lauderdale market continues to present opportunities. Single-family homes remain in demand with strong price growth, while the condo market offers buyers more selection and room to negotiate. The key in today’s market is understanding your local neighborhood trends and having a strategy tailored to your goals.
Thinking about your next move? I’d be happy to provide a complimentary market analysis, discuss current opportunities, or answer any questions about our local market. Reach out anytime, and let’s talk about how today’s market conditions can work in your favor.
CONTACT ANNETTE
Let’s start working together!
Annette Dammeyer, REALTOR®, ABR®, AHWD®
Coldwell Banker Realty
901 E Las Olas Blvd STE 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
808.747.3686
SL 3535792
SE Florida Market Snapshot – July 2026
SE Florida Market Snapshot – July 2026
Snapshot of Today’s Broward County Market
July 2026 Real Estate Market Snapshot: More Choices, Slower Pace, Select Areas Holding Strong
As we move through the summer selling season, the July 2026 housing data across Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Hollywood, Dania Beach, and Hallandale Beach tells a consistent story: inventory continues to rise while sales activity slows. This shift is creating a more balanced market and giving buyers more options and negotiating power than we’ve seen in recent years.
While the overall number of homes sold declined across all five markets compared to last year, pricing trends varied by location. Some communities, particularly Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors, continued to see price appreciation, while others experienced softer pricing as inventory levels climbed.
Key Market Trends
Inventory Is Growing
One of the biggest themes across South Broward County is the significant increase in available homes for sale.
- Hallandale Beach inventory surged 671%
- Hollywood inventory increased 275%
- Dania Beach inventory climbed 203%
- Fort Lauderdale inventory rose 68%
- Wilton Manors inventory increased 39%
More inventory means buyers have more choices, can take more time making decisions, and may have greater leverage during negotiations.
Home Sales Are Slower
Closed sales were down in every market compared to July 2025:
- Hallandale Beach: -87%
- Hollywood: -77%
- Dania Beach: -70%
- Fort Lauderdale: -42%
- Wilton Manors: -27%
Higher inventory combined with longer decision-making periods and ongoing affordability considerations continue to slow transaction volume.
Pricing Remains Market-Specific
Price performance varied significantly by location:
Gaining Strength
- Fort Lauderdale average sales price increased 19% to $1.08M
- Wilton Manors average sales price increased 10% to $553K
Holding Steady
- Hallandale Beach average sales price remained unchanged at $544K
Experiencing Price Adjustments
- Dania Beach average sales price declined 12% to $384K
- Hollywood average sales price declined 31% to $438K
These variations demonstrate why hyper-local market knowledge is more important than ever. Conditions can differ dramatically from one community to the next.
Sellers Are Still Receiving Strong Offers
Despite increased competition, most homes continued to sell close to their asking prices:
- Dania Beach: 98.9% of list price
- Wilton Manors: 97.2% of list price
- Fort Lauderdale: 95.2% of list price
- Hollywood: 95.1% of list price
- Hallandale Beach: 91.1% of list price
Well-priced, well-presented homes continue to attract serious buyers.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For Buyers:
The market is offering more opportunities than we’ve seen in several years. With inventory levels increasing, buyers have more choices, less competition, and greater room for negotiation.
For Sellers:
Pricing strategy is critical. Buyers have options, so homes that are accurately priced and professionally marketed are the ones generating activity. The good news is that quality listings are still achieving strong sale-to-list-price ratios.
Here are the Market Snapshots reflecting the last month (compared to the same month last year) for the following areas:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Wilton Manors
- Hollywood
- Dania Beach
- Hallandale Beach
These take into account all property types (Single Family Homes/Condos/Townhomes).
My Local Perspective
As a South Florida REALTOR®, I’m seeing a market that is gradually finding balance after years of limited inventory and intense competition. While sales activity has slowed, property values remain resilient in many neighborhoods, particularly in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors. The current environment rewards preparation, realistic pricing, and local market expertise.
Real estate is no longer a one-size-fits-all market. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or simply curious about your home’s value, understanding what’s happening in your specific neighborhood is more important than ever.
If you’d like a personalized market update for your community, I’d be happy to help.
CONTACT ANNETTE
Let’s start working together!
Annette Dammeyer, REALTOR®, ABR®, AHWD®
Coldwell Banker Realty
901 E Las Olas Blvd STE 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
808.747.3686
SL 3535792
