How to find high equity properties
County records do not show mortgages in every state, so investors estimate equity from the last sale price compared with the current value, and from how long the owner has held the property. Owners who have held a property 15 years or more are about 23.6% of the properties we track.
Two ways to estimate equity
- Value versus last sale price: if the county value is at least double the last sale price, the owner has probably gained a lot of equity.
- Ownership length: a long-time owner has had years to pay the mortgage down.
What can go wrong
- County values are tax values, not sale prices.
- Some states do not publish sale prices.
- Owners may have taken out new loans or a home equity line. The recorder shows recorded mortgages in many counties.
Good stacks
High equity + tax delinquent: owners who have equity but are falling behind may prefer to sell. High equity + foreclosure: owners with a deadline and equity to protect. High equity + absentee: landlords with large gains.
For agents
High equity and long ownership are the classic listing lead: owners who can afford to sell at market price.
Official sources and further reading
- USA.gov: find local government offices
- International Association of Assessing Officers
- Legal Information Institute: deed
Outside sites are run by their owners. General information, not legal or financial advice.
Questions
Can I see a mortgage balance in county records?
In many counties the recorder shows recorded mortgages. The balance is not shown.
How accurate is estimated equity?
It is a guess. Treat it as a way to rank leads, not as a number.
Who should use high equity lists?
Agents, flippers and wholesalers. The best use is to stack with a second signal.
Is a long-time owner more likely to sell?
Not by itself. A reason such as tax trouble, death or distance makes it more likely.
How we make these guides
Written by the LeadCounty editorial and data team from official county, court and state sources and our own weekly counts. We name the office behind every number, say what we cannot see, and fix mistakes when you tell us. See our editorial standards and methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice. Refreshed weekly.
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