Equity Rich Properties Reach New High

Feb 07, 2019

More than 14.5 million U.S. properties were equity rich by the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, according to new statistics from ATTOM Data Solutions. This represents 25.6 percent of residential properties, and the fourth quarter quantity is the highest number since data was first tracked in the fourth quarter of 2013.

California had the highest share of equity rich properties (43.6 percent) and San Jose led the major metro areas in this percentage (72 percent). At the same time, more than five million residential properties were seriously underwater, or 8.8 percent share of mortgaged residences. Louisiana had the highest share of seriously underwater residences at 20.8 percent, while the state capital of Baton Rouge led the major metros with a 20.7 percent share of seriously underwater residences.

"With homeowners staying put longer, homeownership equity will most likely continue to strengthen. Those that are seriously underwater may find themselves coming up for air as they continue to pay off excessive legacy mortgages or sell," said Todd Teta, Chief Product Officer with ATTOM Data Solutions. "This report helps to showcase a story of the West coast markets having the highest share of equity rich homeowners versus the South and Midwest markets, who continue to have stubbornly high rates of seriously underwater homeowners."

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Feb 07, 2019

Regulation and Compliance

Senate Passes 21st Century ROAD To Housing Act In 85-5 Vote

Sweeping housing package heads back to House after Senate clears final version with broad bipartisan support

The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Monday by a vote of 85-5, moving Congress closer to enacting one of the most significant federal housing packages in decades.The bill, which now heads back to the House for approval, is designed to lower housing ...

Operations

Rocket Pro Meets Brokers Halfway With ARIVE Expansion

Phase 2 of Rocket Pro’s integration lets brokers submit loan files and receive real-time status updates inside ARIVE

Rocket Pro is expanding its integration with ARIVE, allowing brokers to submit loan files and receive real-time loan status updates from Rocket Pro inside the broker platform.The second phase of the partnership moves Rocket Pro beyond pricing and product visibility inside AR...

Aug

San Diego, CA

More from

Industry News

Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Debt Tops $5 Trillion In Q1

MBA says outstanding debt grew by $26.3 billion in the first quarter, led by multifamily lending and increased holdings from banks, agencies, and life insurers

Industry News

Jun 18, 2026

Fed Holds Rates Steady, But Outlook Dims For Mortgage Rate Relief

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged but updated projections show more policymakers expecting additional hikes

Industry News

Jun 18, 2026

Congress Nears Final Vote On 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Senate voted 87-8 to advance House-amended package, with final votes expected in coming days

Industry News

Jun 17, 2026

Florida Pending Sales Signal Strong Summer Housing Market

Closed sales rise for a ninth straight month as inventory gives buyers more negotiating power