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Home Equity
Find out what home equity is and how to use it, plus news, advice and tools on home equity loans and HELOCs.
Home equity basics
![A green house on a sunny day](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/11/29114305/Homes_Home_equity_What_Is_It.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
It’s the portion of your home you own outright. Its uses are almost endless.
![Couple sit in living room discuss receipts, control family budget, calculate household bills to pay](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/02/15101041/how-to-calculate-home-equity.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
How to estimate your ownership stake, and how much of it you can borrow.
![House with solar panels](https://www.bankrate.com/2018/02/12141004/requirements-to-borrow-from-home-equity.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
Everything you need to know about HELOC and home equity loan requirements in 2024.
Editor's picks
![mom working on a laptop at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/08101846/using-heloc-to-pay-mortgage.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high)
Related topics:
Home equity tools & resources
Bankrate's suite of tools and articles are designed to help you effortlessly learn about your home equity, connect with reputable lenders, compare offers for HELOCs and home equity loans, and more.
Finding a lender
Here’s where you can get a home equity loan today
HELOC vs. home equity loan
How does each work, and which would be best for you?
Mortgage rates
Compare current mortgage rates for today
News highlights
The latest
![Couple calculating bills at home using tablet and calculator](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/06/05143351/how-to-unlock-your-home-equity-during-financial-turmoil.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Some ways your home can cushion you when unexpected expenses arise.
![Illustrated collage featuring tools and a ladder](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/02092957/Central-Home-equity-rate-forecast.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride shares his take on what will happen to home equity rates in 2024.
![Interior of a home living room](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/03/04145517/Using-a-home-equity-loan-for-debt-consolidation.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It can be a smart strategy, provided you understand what you’re risking.
![Illustrated collage featuring a man removing a damaged roof](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/06/07173837/Homes_Using_Home_Equity_to_pay_for_emergency_home_repairs.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Use your home to fix your home by tapping your equity stake. Just bear the risks in mind.
![Houses surrounded by greenery](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/11/22133303/top-1o-heloc-lenders.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Who does the most business in HELOCs and home equity loans?
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/09/27104246/sell-house-without-realtor-california.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Even at higher rates, a HELOC is worth considering over other types of financing.
![Aerial photography of suburbs, NY](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/10/20093632/lower-home-equity-rates.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Why is tapping your homeownership stake for cash so tempting right now?
![Woman talking on phone behind a counter with pastries on display](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/07/10112729/take-out-home-equity-to-invest-in-your-business-idea.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Should homeowner you help out entrepreneurial you? Maybe, but consider carefully before you hock the house.
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