Home Equity & Real Estate calculators

Home equity is often the largest — and cheapest — source of credit a household has, but the right way to tap it depends on your existing mortgage rate, how much you need and how long you will carry the balance. These calculators estimate what a lender may let you borrow, what a HELOC will cost during and after the draw period, and whether replacing your first mortgage with a cash-out refinance makes sense compared with adding a HELOC.

For real-estate investors, the rental property and BRRRR calculators show cash flow, cap rate and cash-on-cash return, and the DSCR calculator shows the debt service coverage ratio that non-QM lenders use to qualify rentals on the property’s income rather than your personal income.

Home Equity & Real Estate calculators

Which home equity calculator do you need?

  • How much could I borrow? The home equity calculator applies lender CLTV limits of 75% to 90% to your home’s value and mortgage balance.
  • What would the payments be? The HELOC payment calculator shows the interest-only draw payment and the jump when repayment starts, with a rate stress test.
  • Should I refinance instead? The cash-out refinance vs HELOC calculator compares total cost over your time horizon and finds the break-even year.
  • Buying a rental? The rental property calculator shows cash flow, cap rate and cash-on-cash return, and the BRRRR calculator models buying, rehabbing and refinancing to pull your cash back out.
  • Financing a rental? The DSCR loan calculator shows whether the rent covers the payment the way investor lenders measure it.

The number that matters most: your current mortgage rate

If your first mortgage has a low fixed rate, keeping it and borrowing only what you need with a HELOC or home equity loan is usually cheaper than refinancing everything at today’s rates. If your current rate is above the market, a cash-out refinance can lower the cost of the whole balance. Either way, remember that your home secures the debt — borrow for purposes that improve your finances, and budget for the repayment period, not just the draw period.

Home Equity & Real Estate guides

Other calculator categories