Using Your Equity To Help Your Children Buy a Home in Southwest Florida

Using Your Equity To Help Your Children Buy a Home in Southwest Florida

If you own a home in Southwest Florida — whether it’s in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, or Venice — chances are you’ve built up a significant amount of equity just by living there. As property values across our region have continued to rise, so has the potential of what that equity can do for you — and for your family.

In today’s real estate landscape, many first-time buyers, including your children, face real hurdles in affording a home. Even with a good job and responsible financial habits, the cost of entry into the market can feel overwhelming. But that’s where your equity could step in and make a real difference.

According to Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), the average homeowner with a mortgage currently has about $311,000 in home equity. That’s a powerful asset — and one that some parents are now using to help their children purchase a home of their own. (see chart below): 

In fact, a recent study by Bank of America revealed that 49% of Gen Z homebuyers (ages 18–26) received financial help from their parents for a down payment. And while not all of that came directly from home equity, it's clear that family support is playing a major role in making homeownership more accessible for the next generation.

Here in Sarasota County and Manatee County, where the housing market remains competitive, a boost from equity can make the difference between renting and buying. Helping your children with a down payment — or co-signing on a mortgage — could empower them to plant roots in a community they love, close to home.

More Than Just Financial Support

While tapping into your home’s equity is a financial move, the impact it can have goes far beyond dollars. It’s about giving your children a foundation — a place to call their own, to build their lives, and to start growing their own equity.

And for many parents in Southwest Florida, it’s about legacy. The pride of hearing your child say, “We got the house,” thanks in part to your support, is a moment that can last a lifetime.

As Compare the Market notes:

“Of those who did receive monetary aid from parents and grandparents to buy a house, 45% said they would not have been able to purchase a home without that support.”

Bottom Line

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to use the equity you’ve built, helping your children achieve homeownership in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, or Venice could be a legacy that lasts generations.

Thinking about exploring this option? The first step is to speak with a trusted lender and financial advisor to evaluate what’s possible and what works best for your specific situation.

Your home has given you so much. Now it could help your children build a future — right here in Southwest Florida.