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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
![Exterior of a Chase bank](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/05/07140254/Lenders-halt-HELOC-applications-as-the-coronavirus-crisis-continues.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here’s what to do if you have a HELOC or have considered applying.
![Senior couple smiling at each other at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/11/22150645/How-to-take-advantage-of-the-peak-in-senior-housing-wealth.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Senior homeowners can take advantage of the peak in senior housing wealth to further strengthen their finances.
![House with flowers](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/10/30203700/Reasons-to-tap-home-equity.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Tapping equity for home improvements? Tap away. How about trips and electronics? Think again.
![Urban residential street with row of attached old houses with gables](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/03130614/Home-equity-lender-reviews_-Top-5-for-debt-consolidation.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Understand the perks and drawbacks of using home equity to consolidate your debt.
![Mid adult man guiding girlfriend in hanging picture frame on wall at new home](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/11/04112209/Untitled-45.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Americans have tons of cash locked up in their homes.
![Two people look over paint colors in new home](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/09153614/Only-11-of-U.S.-homeowners-will-use-loans-to-cover-home-improvement-projects.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Despite high interest rates, most homeowners are using credit cards for renovations.
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