Home Equity Archives - Utah First Credit Union

Jul 28, 2026 / Home Equity

When Does Refinancing Make Sense? A Utah Homeowner’s Checklist

At Utah First Credit Union, we know Utah homeowners often wonder, “When is the right time to refinance my home?” Refinancing can be a savvy move if it aligns with your financial goals – whether that’s saving money on your monthly payment or tapping into your home’s equity for a big project. The answer is…

Illustration of houses with fireworks in the background

Jul 07, 2026 / Home Equity

Spark Financial Freedom With Your HELOC This Summer

Summer has officially arrived! The grills are fired up, fireworks have gone off, and chances are you’ve already started thinking about what’s next — whether that’s finally tackling a home project, taking a family vacation, or getting ahead on a financial goal that’s been hanging…

Illustration of coin dropping into a house like a piggy bank

Jun 08, 2026 / Home Equity

Turn Your Home Equity Into Opportunity With a Cash-Out Refinance

Your home does a lot more than give you a cozy place to land at the end of the day. As you pay down your mortgage and your home grows in value, you build equity that can help fund your next goals. Cash-out refinancing is…

Woman with thought bubble showing options for using a HELOC

May 20, 2026 / Home Equity

Smart and Creative Ways to Use a HELOC

When you hear the term Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), you probably think about home improvement projects. And while using a HELOC to upgrade your home is certainly one of the most common—and smartest—uses, it’s far from the only option. A HELOC is one…

Illustration of a house in a tropical environment

Apr 28, 2026 / Home Equity

4 HELOC-Powered Resort Makeover Ideas for Your Backyard

Vacations are always over too soon. After a week, you’ve got a great tan and fun photos, then it’s back to real life. But what if you could slip into vacation mode anytime with the perfect retreat in your own backyard? When your outdoor space is designed like a getaway, you don’t have to…

Woman with illustration comparing HELOCs with home refinancing

Apr 15, 2026 / Home Equity

Refinance vs. HELOC: Which Is Better for Home Improvements?

Thinking about upgrading your kitchen, adding a home office, or finally tackling that backyard makeover? Home improvements are exciting, but figuring out how to pay for them can feel a little less fun. The good news is that if you’ve built equity in your home, you already have options!…

Apr 10, 2026 / Home Equity

How Does a HELOC Work?

You’ve probably heard all about a home equity line of credit (HELOC). It’s a revolving line of credit that lets you use as much or as little of your available HELOC funds as you want, for whatever you want, whenever you need it. It’s a…

Mar 30, 2026 / Home Equity

Six HELOC-Worthy Outdoor Upgrades for Spring

Spring has sprung early this year! The temps are gorgeous, the days are getting longer, and somewhere between that bare patch of lawn and the grill, there’s a vision of the outdoor space you’ve been putting off for years. Thankfully, if you’ve got a Utah…

woman being showered with money thanks to a heloc

Mar 04, 2026 / Home Equity

5 Ways to Stretch Your Tax Refund With a HELOC

There’s something elite-feeling about a tax refund hitting your account. What could be more exciting than money coming back to you in one satisfying lump sum? But instead of thinking of your refund as spending cash this year, think of it as strategic money! On its own, your…

Feb 03, 2026 / Home Equity

5 Retreat-Level Home Upgrades to Help You Romanticize Everyday Life

We’re not here to trash-talk flowers. They’re pretty, thoughtful, and they say, “I was thinking of you.” But they don’t last long, and chocolate disappears even faster. If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift that lasts and improves your daily life together, what if…