Skip to Content
AcademyGlossaryHome Equity

Home Equity

Home equity refers to the portion of your property that you truly own. It is calculated by taking the current market value of your home and subtracting any outstanding mortgage or loan balances. Essentially, home equity represents the amount of your home that you have paid off and can be considered an asset. Home equity can increase over time as you make mortgage payments and as the value of your property appreciates. Homeowners can leverage their home equity in various ways, such as taking out a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which can be used for significant expenses like home improvements, education, or debt consolidation. However, it’s important to manage these financial tools wisely, as borrowing against your home equity increases your debt and can put your home at risk if you fail to make payments.

What is Home Equity?

Home equity is the value of a homeowner’s interest in their home, calculated by subtracting the outstanding balance of any mortgages or loans from the home’s current market value.

How Does Home Equity Work?

Home equity works as a financial asset that can grow over time through mortgage payments and property value appreciation. Homeowners can access this equity through loans or lines of credit, using their home as collateral.

Last updated on