Rightmove has introduced an equity tracker tool as part of its ongoing effort to digitise the UK property market, combining valuation data with mortgage information to provide homeowners with real-time visibility of their property equity.
The tool, integrated within Rightmove’s Instant Online Valuation service, aggregates property valuation changes with mortgage data to calculate available equity and potential borrowing capacity. It also alerts users when their current mortgage deal is approaching its end date and displays remortgage options from existing and alternative lenders.
Market positioning
According to Matt Smith, Rightmove’s head of mortgages, the tool aims to improve financial awareness among potential movers before they contact agents about properties. “We want to help people to be much more aware of what they can afford earlier in their home-moving journey, so that they are more informed about their financial position when contacting agents about listings for sale,” Smith said.
The equity tracker forms part of a broader suite of financial tools offered by the portal, including a mortgage in principle service developed in partnership with NatWest, alongside payment calculators, stamp duty calculators, and renovation cost estimates.
The launch comes as the portal seeks to expand its role beyond property listings into the transactional aspects of home buying and selling. The move follows recent market conditions showing static house prices, which may increase the importance of equity calculations for homeowners planning their next move.
Smith commented that understanding accumulated equity represents a key component of moving decisions. “Understanding the equity you’ve built up is a really key part of planning that next move, so we wanted to make this information more easily accessible alongside valuation and remortgage information,” he said.
The tool’s functionality centres on data consolidation, bringing together information that homeowners would typically need to gather from multiple sources including lenders, valuers, and mortgage advisers.
