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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
![Image featuring a house with dollar bills falling from the sky](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/08/01145032/Homes-Why-would-you-consider-cash-out-refinance.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
When, if ever, is it ok to cash in your ownership stake?
![House with solar panels](https://www.bankrate.com/2018/02/12141004/requirements-to-borrow-from-home-equity.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If you want to borrow from your homeownership stake, these are the factors lenders will judge you on.
![mom working on a laptop at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/08101846/using-heloc-to-pay-mortgage.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Use what you own to pay off what you owe. Is it a good idea?
![Family standing near car on driveway outside house](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/12/02085829/should-you-use-a-home-equity-loan-to-pay-off-an-auto-loan.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Probably not. Here are all the pros and cons to consider.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/06/14140557/Mortgages_How_the_Federal_Reserve_ARMs_HELOCs.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If you’re looking at HE loans or have a variable-rate line of credit, pay attention to the Fed.
![Couple hugging](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/06/26092650/Homes-What-is-a-home-equity-loan-and-how-does-it-work.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s a way to put your homeownership stake to work, though not without risk.
![A foreclosure sign in front of a house](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/30114335/what-happens-to-a-heloc-in-bankruptcy.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Follow these steps to shield your home from seizure.
![Two people looking at a laptop featuring illustrated graphics](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/06/10165748/Homes_10-Ways-to-get-the-best-HELOC-rate.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
What to watch for to get a top offer on a home equity line of credit.
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