How to tap into your home’s equity if you aren’t ready to sell

On May 26, 2022

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In the last decade, a surge in home prices has built considerable wealth for the middle class.

Total housing wealth grew by $8.2 trillion between 2010 and 2020, according to a March report from the National Association of Realtors. The coronavirus pandemic’s housing boom added even more value to homes.

But unless people plan to sell their houses — which can be a difficult feat in a hot housing market — there are only a few ways to tap into that increased equity.

“You can’t eat your equity, but if you can monetize some of it to reduce debt and make life easier from a cash flow perspective, that makes a ton of sense in most situations,” said Dennis Nolte, a certified financial planner and vice president at Seacoast Bank in Winter Park, Florida.

Here’s what financial experts recommend.

Cash-out refinance

One way to get money from your home’s increase in value is to refinance. By using a cash-out refinance, you’d also be able to add some liquidity to your savings or put the money towards another goal.

Here’s how it works: You refinance your home with a larger mortgage than you previously had to get the difference back in cash. In some instances, it may be a win-win situation — if you’re able to refinance at a lower rate or reduce your monthly payments.

It may not be the best option for homeowners right now, however. That’s because interest rates are rapidly rising, and with them, mortgage rates. That makes it less likely that someone would be able to refinance now for a more attractive rate.

“Rates have shot up so quickly that refinancing at these interest rates could be as much as twice what their current rate is,” said Jackie Frommer, chief operating officer of lending at Figure, a financial services company. “That just doesn’t make sense.”

It can also be expensive to refinance, as there are extra closing fees involved.

Home equity loan

A home equity loan can help you access some of your house’s appreciated value. It’s a loan that you take out against the value of your home and pay off over a set period, generally 10 to 30 years.

These loans do include closing costs and can also include fees, as well. In addition, you must take out a lump sum — say, $100,000 — and pay off the entire amount plus interest. Usually, the interest rate is fixed, however, which can help you budget long-term.

Right now, home equity loan rates generally range from 3% to 12%, depending on the borrower, according to Bankrate.

Home equity line of credit

A home equity line of credit, also known as a HELOC, is one of the best ways to access equity in your home without selling it.

Instead of taking out a loan at a fixed amount, a HELOC opens a pool of money that you can utilize, but you don’t have to take it all at once or use it all. For…