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You Could Use Some of Your Equity to Give Your Children the Gift of Home

March 13, 2026

Joe Malerba

If you’re a homeowner, you’ve likely built up a significant amount of wealth simply by living in your house and watching its value grow. That equity isn’t just numbers on paper, it’s a tool that could help your children achieve homeownership, even in today’s challenging market.

Why Your Equity Matters

Buying a first home is still a major challenge for many young adults. Even with a stable job and a solid plan, high prices and affordability concerns can make homeownership feel out of reach.

That’s where your equity comes in. The average homeowner with a mortgage has around $311,000 in home equity (Cotality), a resource that can be tapped to help your child make a down payment or cover closing costs.

Bank of America reports that nearly half of buyers aged 18–26 received financial support from their parents for their first home. While the data doesn’t specify how many used parental equity, the connection is clear: equity can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

More Than Money, It’s a Meaningful Head Start

Using equity to help your children buy a home isn’t just about finances. It’s about giving them a head start, helping them begin the next chapter of life with less stress and more stability. Compare the Market found that 45% of young buyers who received financial support from parents said they couldn’t have bought a home without it.

For parents, it’s a chance to turn years of homeownership and wealth-building into something deeply meaningful: the ability to say, “we helped make this possible.”

How to Approach This Option

Every family’s situation is different. Before making any decisions:

  • Talk to a trusted lender about how your equity could be accessed safely.

  • Consult a financial advisor to understand the tax implications and long-term impact on your finances.

  • Work with a local realtor who knows the Connecticut market to ensure your child’s home purchase aligns with their goals and your guidance.

Even a portion of your equity could help them qualify for a mortgage, cover closing costs, or secure a more affordable home, giving them a real foothold in the market.

Your equity isn’t just an investment in your home, it’s a potential legacy. By leveraging it thoughtfully, you could help your child achieve homeownership sooner than they might have imagined.

If helping your kids buy a home feels like a possibility you want to explore, start by connecting with your lender, financial advisor, and a top realtor in Connecticut to see how it could work for your family.

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