Ten Ways to Use Your Home Equity

For many homeowners, a house isn’t just a place to live, but one of their largest financial assets. Over time, as you pay down your mortgage and your property value rises, you build more home equity. This equity represents the portion of your home you truly own and can be a powerful financial tool when you use it wisely.

Before you tap into that equity, it’s a good idea to understand how much you actually have with you. A Mortgage calculator can help you to estimate your current loan balance and compare it to your home’s market value to determine your available equity. Once you have that number, you’ll be in a good position to make informed decisions about how you use it. Below are some strategic ways to leverage your home equity, whether through a home equity loan, a line of credit, or a cash out refinance.

1. Home renovations and improvements. One of the most popular uses of home equity is reinvesting it back into the property. Remodelling your kitchen, updating a bathroom, finishing a basement, or adding energy efficient features can increase your home’s value while enhancing your quality of life. Many improvements can boost your home’s resale value, potentially increasing your equity even further. If you focus on renovations that offer high returns on investment, like kitchens, bathrooms and curb appeal, you’ll also build that equity faster.
2. Consolidating your debt. If you’ve been juggling high interest credit card balances or personal loans, using your equity to consolidate the debt can be a financially sound move. Home equity loans often come with significantly lower interest rates than unsecured debts do. It will simplify your finances by turning multiple payments into one and reduce your overall interest costs. A word of caution though, your home becomes collateral. If you can’t make those payments, you risk foreclosure. So, budget carefully.
3. Funding education. College tuition isn’t getting any cheaper, and student loans often come with inflexible terms. If you’re looking to pay for your own education or help your kids avoid student loan debt, tapping into home equity could offer you more favourable repayment terms. Lower interest rates compared to private student loans make it a smart move, and there’s potentially more flexible repayment options out there for you. Whether it makes sense long term – especially if you’re sacrificing equity growth or risking your home – that’s what you should consider.
4. Starting or expanding a business. If you need capital for a business idea, Home Equity can provide the funds that you need to get launched. It’s smart because you maintain full ownership of your business and make better loan terms than with traditional business financing. Beware, though, that if the business fails, you’re still on the hook for the loan and your home could be at risk.
5. For an emergency fund. Life is unpredictable. Major medical bills, unexpected job losses, or emergency travel can put pressure on your finances. Your home equity can serve as a safety net during difficult times. It’s smart to use equity for this because it gives you access to your cash quickly, especially if you have a HELOC in place. Better approach to set up an emergency fund first and use equity only when other options are exhausted.

Image source: Pexels

6. Investing in real estate. If you’re looking to purchase an investment property or a vacation home, your current home equity can provide you with the down payment or even the full purchase price. It’s a smart idea because you’ll be leveraging one appreciating asset to acquire another. You can use a Mortgage calculator to run the numbers and see how an additional mortgage payment would fit into your budget before you proceed.
7. Retirement income supplement. If you’re nearing retirement and finding yourself short on your savings, tapping into your home equity could help to supplement your income. You should proceed carefully and consult a financial advisor before you do this because you need to make sure that this is a strategy that will align with your long term retirement plan. Options like a reverse mortgage or cash out refinance can provide you funds without having to sell the house, and it can delay drawing down other retirement accounts.
8. Covering major life events. Home equity can be used to fund big life events such as weddings, milestones, anniversaries, or dream vacations. While these may not be financial investments, they can hold significant personal value to you. It’s OK to do this because it’s your equity, you just need to make sure that you’re using it responsibly. You should also consider saving gradually or paying part in cash so that you don’t have to part with too much equity.
9. Buying out a co-owner. In divorce or inheritance scenarios, one party may want to buy out the other’s share of the property. Home equity can make this possible without having to sell the home outright. It will allow you to retain ownership and avoid disruption for any children or family members. But work with professionals to get some legal advice here. You want to ensure that the transaction is handled fairly and legally.
10. Refinance for better terms. Even if you’re not looking for a lump sum of cash, tapping into home equity through a cash out refinance could help you to secure a better mortgage rate or more favourable loan terms. This is especially smart if interest rates have dropped since you bought your home. It’s a good opportunity to lower your monthly repayments, shorten your loan term, or switch from an adjustable to a fixed rate.

Your home equity is a valuable asset that unlocks financial opportunities, but it’s not free money. You want to use it wisely so that you can continue to reach those major life goals. When you use it recklessly, it can increase your risk and long term financial strain. Get started by using a Mortgage calculator to understand your current equity position and then speak with a trusted financial advisor or lender to explore your best option for your needs.