How to Build Home Equity and Risks of Tapping Into ItHow to Build Home Equity and Risks of Tapping Into It
Home equity is one of the biggest benefits of homeownership. It gives you a financial tool to use for debt consolidation, making upgrades that increase your home’s value and paying for college tuition, among other things. But what exactly is it, how can you build it and are there risks to tapping into it?
Your home equity is the difference between its market value and what you still owe on your mortgage. Buying a home and putting down a large down payment will immediately build your equity. But you can also build equity over time by consistently making mortgage payments and making home improvements that add value.
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The amount of your equity you can borrow will vary by lender, but most limit loan-to-value (LTV) ratios to 85% of your home’s current value. You also need a minimum credit score of 620. Lenders may charge a higher rate for home equity loans than other types of financing and you might pay closing costs.
It’s best to save any home equity you’re able to access for expenses that will help grow your wealth. Using your home equity to pay for luxury purchases, big-ticket items that depreciate or short-term expenses like vacations can be risky and lead to a cycle of borrowing against your property. A better option might be to use a personal loan with a fixed interest rate, or to pay down high-interest debt with a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Sign up for a free Equifax account to get a monthly Credit Report and VantageScore 3.0.…