Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) allow homeowners to tap into the value of their homes.
HELOCs are variable-rate second mortgages that provide a revolving line of credit, while home equity loans are fixed-rate lump-sum loans with 85% borrowing capacity.
Homeowners can choose from different terms, such as 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, or 30-year options, depending on their financial goals and project sizes.
Calculating home equity involves subtracting the current mortgage balance from the home's appraised value and is used by lenders to determine loan-to-value ratio (LTV).