What Your St. Johns County Home Equity Looks Like Today

If You Bought in St. Johns County in the Past Five Years, Here Is What You Should Know

You did not necessarily plan for it to happen this way, but if you bought in St. Johns County between 2019 and 2022, you are very likely sitting on a level of home equity that most people outside the market do not fully appreciate.

What Appreciation Has Done for St. Johns County Values

St. Johns County has been one of the strongest appreciating markets in Florida over the past five years. Homeowners who purchased in Nocatee, Shearwater, RiverTown, or Ponte Vedra Beach in the 2019 to 2022 period are generally sitting on meaningfully higher values.

How to Roughly Estimate Your Current Equity

Runghy equity = current home value minus outstanding mortgage balance minus cost of selling (6% to 8% of sale price). Example: a home purchased in 2021 for $450,000 and now valued at $550,000 with a remaining balance of $370,000 might net $136,000 to $146,000 after selling costs.

The Upgrade Move

For many St. Johns County homeowners, the equity built over the past three to six years changes what is possible for their next move. The most common upgrade trajectory: sell your Nocatee or Shearwater home, net $100,000 to $200,000 in equity, use it as a down payment on a coastal property.

Accessing Equity Without Selling

A HELOC provides a revolving credit line secured by the home. A cash-out refinance replaces the existing mortgage with a new, larger one. Both have costs and implications that depend on your specific situation.

The Tax Implications of Selling

For homeowners who have lived in their home as their primary residence for at least two of the past five years, the federal capital gains exclusion applies -- $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for married couples. Consulting with a tax professional before listing is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out what my home is currently worth?

A local agent can provide a Comparative Market Analysis using recent sales data -- more accurate than national online estimates.

Is now a good time to sell in St. Johns County?

St. Johns County has generally maintained a well-supported seller environment. A local agent can give you a specific assessment for your home's situation.