What is home equity and how can you use it?

You may feel your home belongs solely to you. But if you bought it with borrowed funds — aka a mortgage — it technically doesn’t: It also partly belongs to the lender who advanced you the funds. Your own stake in your home is expressed as your home equity — “equity” being synonymous with “ownership” in financial lingo.

More precisely, home equity equals the value of your economic interest in your residence. The difference between the size of your mortgage debt and the amount of the home you actually own: This is your equity, in a nutshell. It’s not a static amount. Your equity builds over time as you pay down your mortgage. Your home’s worth can also increase with a general rise in real estate values or if you make material improvements to it.

The equity in your home isn’t just a jewel in your estate crown: It can be a source of cash. Here’s how equity works, and how you can use it.

What is home equity and how does it work?

Home equity is the portion of your home you own outright: your stake in the property as opposed to the lender’s. It equals the percentage of your home you originally paid for in cash (via your down payment) and have since paid off (in your monthly mortgage repayments). In mathematical terms, home equity is the appraised value of your home minus any outstanding mortgage and loan balances. As long as your home doesn’t depreciate in value and you continue to make on-time payments, equity will naturally build over time.

How to calculate home equity

To calculate the equity in your home, follow these steps:

1. Get your home’s estimated current market value. What you paid for your home a few years ago or even last year might not be its value today. You can use online home price estimator tools, but consider talking to a local real estate agent or licensed appraiser to get a more accurate measurement of your home’s market value.
2. Subtract your mortgage balance. Once you know the market value of your home, check your latest mortgage statement. Subtract the amount you still owe on your mortgage and any other debts secured by your home. The result is your home equity.

How to increase the equity in your home

Because home equity is the difference between your home’s current market value and your mortgage balance, your home equity can increase in a few different ways.

When you make mortgage payments

The easiest way to increase your home’s equity is by reducing the outstanding balance on your mortgage. Every month when you make your regular mortgage payment, you’re paying down your mortgage balance and increasing your home equity. You can also make additional mortgage principal payments to build your equity even faster.

When you make home improvements that increase your property’s value

Even if your mortgage principal balance remains the same, increasing the value of your home also increases your home equity. Just keep in mind that some home renovations add more value than others. For instance, adding another bedroom — which has universal appeal and a variety of uses — is more certain to increase your home’s potential sale price than adding a niche amenity like a hot tub, which requires expensive maintenance — and which many people may not want, anyway.

When the property value rises

Often (but not always), property values rise over time. This is called appreciation, and it can be another way for you to build equity. Because your property increasing in value depends on several factors, such as location and the economy, there’s no way to tell how long you’ll have to stay in your home to see a significant rise in value. However, looking at the historical price data of homes in your area might give you some insight as to whether values have been trending upward or downward.

When you make a large down payment

Your initial equity stake in your new home reflects how much cash you actually put up to purchase it. So, making a larger down payment when you buy the home instantly ups your equity — for example, putting down 20 percent versus 10 percent. Doing so could also allow you to tap your equity faster.

What are home equity loans?

A home equity loan is a debt secured by your property. It’s often called a second mortgage, since it essentially functions in the same way your primary mortgage — the one you used to buy the home — does.

How do home equity loans work?

When you are approved for a home equity loan, your lender will pay out a single lump sum. Once you’ve received your loan, you start repaying it right away at a fixed interest rate. That means you’ll pay a set amount every month for the term of the loan, whether it’s five years or 30 years.

This option is ideal if you have a large, immediate expense or specific number of debts or loans to pay off. It also comes with the stability of predictable monthly payments.

The interest on a home equity loan that is used for substantial home remodels or repairs might be tax-deductible.

What to look for in a home equity loan

When shopping for a home equity loan, there are certain facts and figures to focus on.

• Eligibility guidelines: Do you meet the lender’s requirements to qualify for a home equity loan? Along with your personal financials (credit score, income, DTI ratio, etc.), you’re required to have a certain amount of equity in the home, to be able to borrow against it; 20 percent is the norm, but it varies.
• Borrowing limits: How much of your equity can you tap? It generally ranges from 80 to 90 percent, depending on the lender. Put another way, how much equity will they require you to keep in the home? Most lenders mandate you maintain a cushion, so that, if your home value drops, you won’t end up owing more than your ownership stake is worth.
• Interest rates: Does the lender offer a competitive interest rate or is it on the higher end compared to similar offerings with other lenders?
• Closing costs: You can expect closing costs with home equity loans. But some lenders charge more or higher fees than others, so do read the fine print and compare. Look for other expenses, like prepayment penalties, too. If the lender offers to waive these costs, they will typically recoup them in the form of a higher interest rate.
• Reviews and testimonials: How is the lender perceived in the eyes of past and current borrowers? Do most reviews show the lender in a positive light, or is there a cause for concern?

What are home equity lines of credit (HELOC)?

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is also secured by your property and works like a credit card.

How do HELOCs work?

You can withdraw as much as you want up to the credit limit during an initial draw period, usually up to 10 years. As you pay down the HELOC principal, the credit line goes back up and you can use it again — similar to a credit card. This gives you flexibility to get money as you need it.

Most HELOCs come with variable rates, meaning your monthly payment can go up or down over the loan’s lifetime. Some lenders offer fixed-rate HELOCs, but these tend to have higher initial interest rates and sometimes an additional fee. You can also opt for interest-only payments or a combination of interest and principal payments. The latter helps you pay off the loan more quickly.

After the draw period, the remaining interest and the principal balance are due. These repayment periods tend to be from 10 years to 20 years. The interest on a HELOC that is used for a substantial home improvement project might be tax-deductible.

What to look for in HELOCs

When evaluating HELOCs, consider the same factors that you would for a home equity loan (the eligibility guidelines are similar). However, also make sure you understand how often the interest rate will fluctuate and if there are any caps on the increase; if there is a minimum draw or a minimum monthly payment; and if there are early-payment penalties. Also, do options exist to refinance the HELOC or switch to a fixed-rate HELOC at any point?

Other ways to access home equity

Along with HELOCs and home equity loans, there are three other primary ways to borrow equity:

Cash-out refinance

A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with another, bigger loan. This loan includes the balance you owe on the existing mortgage and a portion of your home’s equity, withdrawn as cash. You can use these funds for any purpose. Unlike a HELOC or home equity loan, a cash-out refi might allow you to get a lower rate on your main mortgage, depending on market conditions, and shorten the term so you can repay it sooner.

Reverse mortgage

For those who are 62 and older (or 55 and older with some products), a reverse mortgage offers another way to tap home equity. Unlike a HELOC or a home equity loan, the money withdrawn using a reverse mortgage doesn’t have to be repaid in monthly installments. Instead, the lender pays you each month while you continue to live in the home. The loan, plus interest, must be repaid when the borrower dies, permanently vacates or sells the home.

Shared equity agreement

A shared equity agreement is a formal arrangement between a professional investor (or investment company) and a homeowner. You can receive a lump sum of cash in exchange for a percentage of ownership in your home and/or a portion of its future appreciation; the investor receives compensation when the agreement ends on a designated date, or when you sell the home. You make no monthly payments in the meantime. These agreements cater to credit-challenged borrowers or those experiencing financial obstacles that prevent them from securing a traditional loan.

How to leverage your home’s equity

There are virtually no restrictions on what you can do with your ownership stake. Here are some of the most common ways homeowners leverage their equity.

Ways to utilize home equity

• Cancel your private mortgage insurance (PMI): If you take out a mortgage with a low down payment, you are likely to be on the hook for monthly private mortgage insurance (PMI) — an extra charge to reduce your lender’s risk if you default. With many loans, you can request the removal of your mortgage insurance once your equity stake hits 20 percent. Or you can refinance — a strategy that works well if your home has gained substantial value since you took out your original mortgage. (In fact, refinancing is the only way to get rid of mortgage insurance on recent FHA loans, unless you made a down payment of at least 10 percent.)
• Settle outstanding balances: You can use your home equity loan or line of credit to consolidate debt, especially credit cards with high interest rates. You can often eliminate outstanding balances faster this way. Plus, mortgage-related debt is considered “good” debt — because it goes towards you acquiring a valuable asset — while credit card debt earns you nothing, and is more likely to drag down your credit score.
• Pay for college tuition or to start a business: Some homeowners take out a home equity loan instead of taking on student loans or parent loans to pay educational costs. Because the debt is secured, the terms are often more favorable than those other forms of financing, which are unsecured. Home equity loans might also offer better terms than business loans, if you’re setting up a side-hustle.
• Finance home improvements: You can use your equity to reinvest in your home — by using the cash for a renovation, which will increase your home equity even more. Remodels and repairs are one of the most popular uses of home equity financing, in fact, because the interest is tax-deductible if the money goes towards upgrading the home. If you make energy-efficient upgrades, you will also be eligible for tax credits.

How to qualify for the best rates

Lenders have varying borrowing standards and rates, so you’ll want to shop around for the best deal. Most lenders are looking for a few basic minimum requirements:

• A credit score of 620 or higher (a score of 700 and above will qualify you for the best rates)
• A maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 80 percent (in other words, 20 percent equity in your home)
• A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio no higher than 43 percent
• A documented source of steady income (and ability to repay your loan)

What is the three-day cancellation rule for home equity loans?

Also known as the right of rescission, the three-day cancellation rule allows you to back out of a home equity loan contract and avoid penalties. It is a part of the Truth in Lending Act, designed to shield borrowers from predatory lenders. As the name implies, you have three business days from signing the contract, receiving the Truth In Lending Act Disclosure (TILA) or receiving copies of the notice of rescission informing you of your legal rights, to cancel the deal with your lender. Keep in mind that the three-day rule only applies to home equity loans and HELOCs on primary residences.

Pros and cons of borrowing against home equity

Borrowing against home equity has its fair share of benefits and drawbacks worth considering before applying for a loan or line of credit.

Pros

• Lower interest rates: Since your home is the collateral for a home equity loan or line of credit, they are considered less risky than other forms of financing. These products also offer better rates than unsecured credit cards or personal loans.
• Flexible use: Lenders do not impose spending restrictions on home equity loans or HELOCs. So, you can use the funds however you see fit.
• Tax benefits: If they itemize on their tax returns, homeowners can deduct the interest on home equity loans or lines of credit, provided the money is used to “buy, build or substantially improve” the home.

Cons

• Borrowing costs: Some lenders charge additional fees for home equity loans or HELOCs; you often have to pay closing costs as you would on a mortgage. As you shop lenders, pay attention to the annual percentage rate (APR), which includes the interest rate plus other fees. If you roll these fees into your loan, you’ll likely pay a higher interest rate.
• Risk of losing your home: Home equity debt is secured by your home, so if you fail to make payments, your lender can foreclose on it. If home values drop, you could also wind up owing more on your home than it’s worth. That can make it more difficult to sell your home if you need to.
• Misusing the money: It’s best to use home equity to finance expenses that’ll serve as investments, like renovating a home to increase its value or starting a business, or to eliminate debt. Don’t hock your house just for discretionary items or events. Stick to needs versus wants; otherwise, you’re perpetuating a cycle of living beyond your means.
• Potential rate changes: Most lines of credit and some loans have an adjustable rate, which means your interest could go up unexpectedly, increasing your payments. Especially with HELOCs: The burden can get really heavy when you reach your repayment period, and have both interest and principal to pay back.

FAQ about home equity

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  Can you use a home equity loan for anything?

  There aren’t many limits on home equity loans. You can use your loan for consolidating debt, paying for medical expenses or financing a vacation. However, not all of these are the best uses for a home equity loan. Generally, it’s best to use your home equity loan to add value to your home or improve your financial situation in other ways.
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  Is home equity an asset?

  Home equity is considered one of the most valuable assets a person can have. This is because equity can increase over time, and you can use it to access funds in the form of a loan.
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  Does a home equity loan require an appraisal?

  While not every home equity lender requires a full appraisal, all lenders need to determine the value of your home in order to calculate your available equity. If your lender doesn’t require a full appraisal, it might obtain these estimates by looking at county assessments, using automated valuation models (AVMs) or even driving by your home and taking photos. If you’ve had a full appraisal done within the last six months, the lender might also be able to use that information.
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  How fast does a home build equity?

  How fast your home builds equity depends on a number of factors. The easiest and most consistent way to build equity is by making your regular monthly mortgage payments. Each payment will build hundreds of dollars in equity. You can also get more home equity if your home appreciates in value, but this is less reliable since values can fluctuate.
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  How much equity can you borrow from your home?

  Most lenders allow you to borrow only a percentage of your home’s equity for a home equity loan or HELOC. The exact terms and percentage rates vary by lender, but it’s common for the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio to be 80 percent or 85 percent of your home’s appraised value.