How Much Equity Can You Bring to Your Next Home?
Whether you stay, move up or sell, it starts with knowing what your home is worth and what you would walk away with.
- Free consultation
- No obligation
- 20+ moves of firsthand experience
What is home equity?
Your equity is what your home is worth minus everything you owe on it. When you sell, what you actually take away is that equity minus your selling costs. That number is usually the starting point for your next down payment.
Example only: a home that could sell for $500,000 with $300,000 left on the mortgage has about $200,000 in equity. After selling costs, the cash available for the next home would be less than that. Your figures will differ; ask us for a value estimate and your lender for your payoff.
Estimate your equity in four steps
- 01
Get a market-based value
We estimate a realistic range from recent nearby sales of similar homes.
- 02
Confirm what you owe
Your lender or latest statement gives your payoff, including any second mortgage or equity line.
- 03
Subtract the cost of selling
Agent commissions, closing costs and any repairs or concessions. We can estimate these for your home.
- 04
Treat the result as a range
The final number depends on the price you accept and the terms you agree to.
Three ways equity can fit your plans
Stay put
You like your home and want to use some of its value. A licensed lender can explain what is available; we can tell you what the home is likely worth.
Move up
Your equity becomes the down payment on a home that fits better. The order you sell and buy in matters.
Selling and buying →Not sure yet
Six quick questions help you see which direction fits, with no phone number required.
Take the quiz →Cash out and stay put, or move up?
Some owners want to use their equity without moving. Lenders offer ways to do that, such as a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Whether any of them fits depends on your current loan, income and credit, and only a licensed lender can tell you what you qualify for.
What we add is the real estate side: what your home is likely worth today, what selling would actually leave you with, and what moving up could look like. Seeing staying and moving side by side, with real numbers, makes it easier to decide which one fits your life.
Important
Brewer Home Team is a real estate team. We are not a lender, financial advisor, tax advisor or investment advisor. Depending on your circumstances, there may be real estate, lending or financial options worth exploring. We'll help you understand the real estate side and connect you with appropriately licensed professionals when specialized advice is needed.
Keep reading
Equity questions
Can I cash out my equity and stay in my home?
Possibly. A cash-out refinance or a home equity loan or line can let some owners borrow against their equity without moving. A licensed lender can tell you what you qualify for and what it would cost. We can show you how that compares with selling or moving up.
Do I have to sell to use my equity?
Not necessarily. A licensed lender can explain borrowing options that let some owners stay put. We help you compare those against selling or moving up from the real estate side.
Is my equity guaranteed?
No. Home values move with the market. A value estimate is a snapshot of today, not a promise of what a buyer will pay.
How do you estimate my home's value?
We compare your home with recent nearby sales of similar homes and adjust for size, condition, updates and lot. It is a market-based estimate, not an appraisal.
Who should I talk to about loans and taxes?
A licensed lender for borrowing options, and a tax professional for questions about capital gains or keeping a rental. We can introduce you to professionals we have worked with.
We've moved more than 20 times. We know what moving really takes.
Our team has relocated more than 20 times, including military moves. We've packed the boxes, started over in new towns, and handled the stress of selling one home while finding the next. That experience shapes how we guide every client.
Discuss My Home's Value
Share a few details and we'll prepare a market-based value estimate. No pressure.
Prefer to talk? Call 678-820-9098 or email info@brewerhometeam.com. Or book a time online.
Stephanie Brewer & Melanie Conley
with Laura Petitone, Brewer Home Team. When you reach out, you hear from a real person on our team.