Home Equity Archives - Utah First Credit Union

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 go anywhere to feel like you got away! The only…

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…

Jan 05, 2026 / Home Equity

7 HELOC Power Moves to Boost Your Utah Home Value in 2026

We can feel it — 2026 is your year to make big moves! And this year, you can start right at home. If your kitchen’s still rocking fluorescent lighting or your bathroom’s trapped in 1998, your Utah First HELOC gives you the power to tackle the living upgrades you’ve dreamed about.…

Nov 25, 2025 / Home Equity

5 Ways to Utilize Your HELOC for the Holidays

We’ve all got ghosts of Christmases past, like the year the oven died mid-turkey, the travel plans maxed out your card, or the kitchen was one countertop short of functional. And when your budget is stretched thinner than the last piece of pie, it’s no…

Nov 05, 2025 / Home Equity

4 Cozy Season HVAC Wins to Fund With Your HELOC

Every fall, we pull out the sweaters, swap the cold brews for warm lattes, and refresh our homes with plaid pillows, blankets, and pumpkin spice candles to maximize the cozy vibes. But the most valuable fall refresh goes beyond aesthetics to get your house ready…

Jun 17, 2025 / Home Equity

Fixed Rate HELOC vs. Traditional HELOC

Every HELOC can help you achieve your personal goals—upgrade your home, put together a big event, or plan a dream vacation. It’s a great way to have extra cash on hand for any reason, big or small. But not all HELOCs are alike. In fact,…