Find yourself checking up on your home’s value online constantly? No judgment. It’s a source of pride and relief to know that your home naturally appreciates over time. Thank god, because you just shelled out $350 on a leaky pipe!

But…

“Most homeowners do nothing with that information. It’s something to talk about at the cocktail party on Saturday, right?” says Kevin Yoder, a top-selling agent in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “I bought my house for X, and now it’s worth Y. Yay!”

And that’s a wasted opportunity! Because the more you know about your home’s value, the more empowered you are to make decisions regarding your property and future home sale. Instead of just stroking your ego with that number, here are 6 productive action steps you can take.