Realty Times - "Most Americans Believe Houses Continue to Gain Value" (10-5-06)

"The survey of 1,003 people, conduct nationwide in September and announced at meeting in Orlando, also found that 25 percent of homeowners have already paid off their mortgage -- twice the number of people with risky variable and interest-only mortgages (13 percent)."

"More than 80 percent of all homeowners surveyed have at least $50,000 of equity built up in their homes and almost 60 percent believe they have at least $100,000 of equity in their homes."