Dan Benz, Your Neighborhood Realtor

08/23/2026

‼️ Here's The One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next Move!‼️

When's the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor's house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now.

For a lot of homeowners, it's been years. And if you've been thinking about moving, but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number.

Your House May Be Worth More Than You ThinkHome values have climbed significantly over the past 5-10 years. And even though today's market is more balanced, homeowners are building wealth every day just by owning their homes. That’s how equity works. As home values rise, and as you make your monthly payments, your equity grows. And it adds up fast.

According to Cotality, the typical homeowner with a mortgage now has $310,500 in equity. That's not a small number. It’s six figures.

And that’s only the national average. In many states, homeowners have built even more equity than that. Take a look at the map below and see where your state stands. The darker the blue, the more equity the typical homeowner has there (see map below):

Even though every local market is different, the question you should be asking right now is the same: How much equity have you built up?

Because if you don’t know that number, you’re missing out.

This Could Be the Missing Piece in Your MoveMost people assume that because prices are higher and rates aren't at 3% anymore, moving just isn't realistic right now, especially if they already have an ultra-low rate. And that's understandable – those are real factors.

But they're not the only factors.

When you have that much equity in your house, you're not starting from scratch. You're not scraping together a down payment or hoping the numbers work. You're walking into your next move with more of an advantage than you think. And that changes the math.

What Your Equity Can Do for YouMaybe you've outgrown your current house or you're ready to downsize… The equity you've built could help bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to be next.

Yes, your next house may cost more than your last one did. But your equity could cover a big chunk of that difference. Depending on how much you've built, it could help you:

- Lower your monthly payment on your next home. The bigger your down payment on your next place, the less you have to borrow. And with today's rates, borrowing less can make a big difference in what you pay every month.

- Buy your next house with all cash. This surprises a lot of people, but some homeowners have built enough equity to buy their next home outright, in cash. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than one-quarter (26%) of repeat buyers paid all cash for their home in July.

- Transform the home you already have. Love your neighborhood but not your floor plan? You don’t have to move. Your equity could help fund renovations that make your home fit your life today while potentially adding value for tomorrow.

Your equity doesn't erase the challenges of the current market. But it does mean you're walking into your next move with a lot more power and flexibility than you think.

That’s why the value of your home isn't something you should have to wonder about.

If you're even thinking about a move – or if you're just curious what your options might be – the smartest thing you can do is get a Professional Equity Assessment. It’ll give you a real, market-based evaluation of what your house is really worth right now and how much equity you’re working with.

Because once you see the number, maybe it’s not about whether you can afford to move – it's about what kind of move makes sense for you.

Bottom LineIf it's been a while since you've gotten a professional look at your home's value, let's change that.

Reach out for a free, personalized Home Equity Assessment that estimates what your house could sell for, how much equity you've likely built, and what that could mean for your next move.

08/12/2026

I was very honored to be able to help this wonderful Active Duty family find a new home and move here from another part of the country.
When a military family goes through a PCS move (Permanent Change of Station), there are a LOT of moving parts! When the buyers and sellers are BOTH PCS'ing, it takes a huge amount of active and timely communication, energy, listening, flexibility, understanding the extra steps involved, and happily doing WAY more than just the minimums. I couldn't be happier with my whole team and also the listing side on how we made this one happen together! HOOAH and Welcome Home! 🏡🇺🇸

07/25/2026

🏡 Still renting? Here's something worth thinking about...

Every month you pay rent, you're helping someone else build THEIR wealth!

What if you could start building your own instead?

For many first-time buyers, homeownership is much more attainable than they realize. There are loan programs available that can make getting into your first home surprisingly affordable.

🇺🇸 VA Loans – Eligible Veterans, Active Duty military, and many surviving spouses can purchase with 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.

🏡 USDA Loans – In qualifying rural areas, eligible buyers may also qualify for 100% financing.

💙 Washington State Down Payment Assistance – Through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, many first-time buyers (and some repeat buyers) may qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance, making it possible to buy with far less cash out of pocket than they expected.

Many buyers are surprised to learn they don't need a 20% down payment—or even 10%.

Now let's talk about an opportunity...

📍 1040 S. 320th St. #5 | Federal Way (Link below)

This townhome-style condo is exactly the kind of home that makes sense for a first-time buyer.

✔️ Gated community
✔️ Lives like a single-family home
✔️ Open floor plan with a cozy gas fireplace
✔️ Beautifully remodeled primary bathroom
✔️ Newer deck, windows, sliding glass door, and washer & dryer (approximately 2 years old)
✔️ All appliances included
✔️ Low-maintenance living

And the location couldn't be much better!

You're just minutes from The Commons, Costco, Trader Joe's, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, entertainment, the Federal Way Transit Center, and the Link Light Rail—making it easy to commute to Seattle, Tacoma, or SeaTac.

💥 Here's where this home really stands out...

The seller is offering $5,000 toward the buyer's closing costs.
Even better, buyers who finance through the preferred lender will receive an additional 1% lender credit that can be used toward closing costs or to help buy down the interest rate (subject to lender qualification and program terms).

Combined, these incentives could cover nearly half of a buyer's closing costs—making homeownership much more affordable than many people realize.

If you've been waiting because you thought you needed a huge down payment or tens of thousands of dollars in the bank, let's have a conversation first. You may be much closer than you think!

📲 Send me a message or give me a call. I'd be happy to connect you with a great lender, explain your financing options, and help you find out what it would take to own your first home.

STOP paying someone else's mortgage and building THEIR equity. Start investing in your own future!

This 1088 square feet Condo home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 1040 S 320th Street #5, Federal Way, WA.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Today we celebrate 250 years of the freedoms we enjoy and remember those who have served and sacrificed to protect them. I hope all of you have a safe, fun, and memorable 4th of July filled with friends, family, good food, and gratitude.
God Bless The USA! 🇺🇸🎆

06/29/2026

You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off.

06/24/2026

06/19/2026

Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.

06/05/2026

One of the biggest questions I’m getting right now is: “What’s going to happen with the housing market in the second half of the year?”

And it makes sense why everyone is asking.

Affordability is tight. Rates feel high. Prices do too.

And people want to know if the second half of the year is going to be better.

Here's the honest answer. A lot of it depends on what happens with inflation – and the lingering uncertainty overseas. But even in today’s market, there’s opportunity, if you know where to look.

Want a breakdown of what’s impacting the market, where experts think things could go from here, and what you can actually do about it?

Send a DM or drop a comment below!

06/02/2026

Thinking about selling your home off-market or as a private listing?
Before you do, consider this:
- A 2025 Zillow study found that homes sold off the MLS sold for a median of 1.5% less nationally, or about $4,975 less per sale. In some markets, the difference was much larger, with California sellers giving up more than $30,000 on average. (Zillow)
- A study by Bright MLS found that homes exposed to the MLS sold for an average of 17.5% more than off-market properties between 2019 and early 2023. (Realtor.com)

The more buyers who see your home, the better your chances of getting the highest price and best terms!
When a property is only marketed to a small group of buyers, you're limiting competition. And less competition can mean fewer offers, less negotiating power, and potentially leaving money on the table.
The goal isn't just to sell your home. It's to expose it to the entire market so every qualified buyer has a chance to compete for it.
That's how you create demand. And demand is what drives stronger results for sellers.
Before deciding to sell privately, make sure you understand what you may be giving up.
Want to know the pros and cons of both approaches? Let's talk.

05/26/2026

Attention Veterans! 👇
Here's What Most Veterans Don't Know About Their VA Home Loan Benefit

What Most Veterans Don't Know About Their VA Home Loan Benefit

Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA.

But many are closer than they think. And you might be, too.

If you’re a Veteran, you probably know the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan benefit exists – it's been around for over 80 years. What you might not know is what it actually covers. Three misconceptions trip up Veterans the most (see graph below):

Any one of those beliefs could be holding you back. Let’s walk through all three, so you have the information you really need.

You May Not Have To Put Any Money DownThe potential to put zero money down is probably the biggest perk of a VA loan, but most homebuyers don’t even realize that’s an option. According to the NewDay USA survey, many respondents guessed they’d need to save somewhere between $10,000 and $19,900 before they could buy. That’s years of saving for an upfront cost that isn’t always required.

You May Have Lower Closing CostsAccording to the Department of Veterans Affairs, with VA loans, there can be limits on the types of closing costs buyers have to pay. That means more money stays in your pocket on closing day – and you have less to save up for before you can buy. The benefit combined with the down payment perk can speed up your buying timeline.

Your Monthly PMI Costs Could Be $0Unlike many other loan options, VA loans typically don’t require private mortgage insurance (PMI), even with low or no money down. If you take out a conventional loan instead, you could pay $100 to $300 a month in PMI until you hit 20% equity, according to NewDay USA. Over time, that’s a difference of thousands of dollars.

Your BAH & BAS May Help You Qualify for MoreIf you’re on active duty or if you’re a qualifying reservist, your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) may count toward income qualification on a VA loan. So, if you were running the numbers without factoring your BAH or BAS in, you could qualify for more than you thought. Both BAH and BAS are non-taxable, so they can help raise the amount you can qualify for.

Bottom LineVA home loans can put homeownership within reach, and a trusted lender can help make sure you understand the details before you move forward.

If you’re active duty, you’ve served, or know someone who has, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through whether you’d qualify and what the VA benefit offers. You may be able to buy a home sooner than you thought!