![decorative image](https://www.bankrate.com/f/102997/1012x568/e370a2f81c/house.png)
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
![Fisherman off the coast to Italy](https://www.bankrate.com/2018/08/13124445/should-you-use-heloc-to-buy-a-property-overseas.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It could be a shrewd strategy, but bear in mind the risks of tapping home equity.
![Boy with toy airplane in front yard of house](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2022/09/19093444/states-have-richest-homeowner.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
In the home equity sweepstakes, who’s on top and who’s on bottom?
![Two women chatting in front of a for sale sign](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/16151624/Homes_What-happens-to-a-HELOC-when-you-sell-your-home.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Your home equity line of credit’s life ends — but the debt doesn’t just disappear.
![An older couple reviewing documents](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/15101413/Homes_Saving_for_renovations_vs_financing.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Cash is usually king, but borrowing has its pluses too. Here’s how to decide.
![Couple looks at a tablet in a new home](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/10/30190632/Does-a-HELOC-affect-your-credit-score_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
You bet — in ways both good and bad. Here’s how to judge its impact.
![Image of town houses with money falling from the sky](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/01/17090744/BR_Banking_What_is_negative_equity.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s when your home’s value sinks below the amount you owe on your mortgage.
![couple looking at laptop together](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/02132019/Where-should-you-get-your-home-equity-loan.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
As more institutions jump on the HE Loan bandwagon, here’s how to sort them.
![Older couple looking out of the window](https://www.bankrate.com/2017/12/19131021/home-equity-loan-heloc-or-reverse-mortgage-what-is-the-best-for-you.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
They all let you tap your ownership stake, but they differ significantly in a lot of ways.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information