Skip to content

Home equity

How much equity do you really have?

Enter your home's value and what you still owe to see your estimated equity, how much it has appreciated, and your annual growth rate, with a built-in range for how far a value estimate can miss. Every result is an illustrative estimate with the assumptions shown.

How the math works


Equity, appreciation, and the range around it.

The estimate is only as good as the value you start with. Here is what each part of it means, and where the honest uncertainty lives.

Start with a real value

Equity starts from today's value, not the price you paid. If you are unsure, get a valuation so the rest of the math has a solid base.

Subtract every debt

Equity is value minus the payoff on your first mortgage, any second or home equity line, and any liens. Use payoff figures, not principal balances.

See appreciation and annual rate

Appreciation is value minus what you paid, shown in dollars and percent. The annual rate is the compounded yearly change since you bought.

Read the confidence range

Online value estimates miss by 8 to 12 percent on average, so the tool shows a low-to-high band around your equity. Drag the value slider to feel how much it moves.

Equity is not net proceeds

Selling costs come out before you cash out. For what you would actually walk away with, run the numbers in the seller net sheet.

Want loan options explained?

This is a calculator, not an explainer. How a home equity line or a cash-out refinance works in plain English lives in the mortgage guides on this site.

See the mortgage guides

What is next

What you could do with this equity.

Three paths a lot of owners do not realize are on the table until the numbers are in front of them.

Thinking about selling?

Turn this equity into your next move.

When you are ready to sell, I get your home in front of buyers and featured on MovingUtah. In Southern Utah I am your listing agent. Anywhere else in the state, I connect you with a vetted local partner agent and stay in your corner. Commission is always negotiable, and there is never any pressure.

Good to know


Questions about home equity.

How do I calculate the equity in my home?

Equity is your home's current market value minus everything you owe against the property. Take the estimated value, subtract your first mortgage payoff, any second mortgage or home equity line payoff, and any other liens such as a tax lien or judgment. The remainder is your estimated equity. Use the payoff amount from your latest mortgage statement, not just the principal balance, because the payoff includes accrued interest and any escrow shortage.

Why do people underestimate their home equity?

Most owners anchor to the price they paid, not the price the home would sell for today. Across much of Utah, values have moved a long way over the last decade, and online value estimates commonly miss the actual sale price by 8 to 12 percent. The mix of an outdated mental anchor and a low automated estimate is why many owners underestimate their real equity position.

What is a healthy annual appreciation rate for a Utah home?

It depends on the area and the years you owned. As long-term historical context, this tool compares your annualized rate against a reference band for the city you choose, with a statewide default of roughly 4 to 6 percent per year. Individual years can run much higher or much lower with rate cycles and supply. This is historical context, not a forecast, and your specific home and neighborhood can differ.

Does this calculator show what I would walk away with at closing?

No. It shows estimated equity, which is value minus debt. It does not subtract real estate commission, title insurance, escrow fees, prorated taxes, or any buyer concessions. To estimate your net proceeds after selling costs, use the seller net sheet. Your net at closing will be lower than your equity number, often by several percent of the sale price.

How accurate is my home's estimated value?

An online value estimate is a starting point, not the answer. Automated models miss by about 8 to 12 percent on average because they cannot see your finishes, your view, your floor plan, or what is selling right now in your specific subdivision. For a real number, get a valuation from someone who actively sells in your area and can pull the comparable sales that match your home.

Can I use my equity without selling my home?

Yes. A home equity line of credit and a cash-out refinance both let you access equity while staying in the home. A line of credit works like a revolving credit line against the home, while a cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new, larger one and returns the difference in cash. Each has tradeoffs in rate, payment, and risk. For how these loan options work, see the mortgage guides on this site, and talk with a mortgage lender before deciding.

Looking for the rest of the suite? Browse all calculators or head back to resources.


Your equity is only as good as the value behind it.

Online estimates miss by 8 to 12 percent on average. Get a real number from someone who actively sells in your area, then come back and run it again.