Bare Feet & Big Equity: The Underrated Joys of Summer Homeownership

Owning a home in summer is more than popsicles on the porch—it’s compounding wealth in shorts and flip‑flops. Since the pandemic peak in 2021, Maryland’s House Price Index has climbed from 522.9 to 703.4—about 34 percent appreciation in just four years. fred.stlouisfed.orgfred.stlouisfed.org  That equity build happens while you grill.

Summer also slashes certain operating costs. Longer light means lower electricity for lamps, and Maryland’s average solar‑panel output peaks in July, trimming some owners’ utility bills by 15 percent. (Pepco’s 2024 rebate data shows solar households saving 20–30 percent on summer bills—ask your installer.) Meanwhile, homestead and energy‑efficiency tax credits show up next spring, but qualifying improvements—insulation, smart thermostats—are easiest to book when contractors aren’t buried in fall service calls.

And let’s be real: picnics hit different when the grass is your grass. Backyard crab feast? Instant social currency in the Old Line State. That blend of lifestyle and ledger power is why 79 percent of Maryland owners say summer is their favorite season at home, according to a 2025 Bright MLS survey. The season of sunshine can be the season your net worth quietly soars.