In basic terms, a home equity loan is money you’re borrowing using your home as collateral. The equity in your home equals how much of your home’s value you actually own (not counting the mortgage you ...

A first-lien HELOC is a revolving line of credit that replaces your primary mortgage. The loan combines a checking account, mortgage and line of credit. First-lien HELOCs are best suited for ...

If you’re starting to think about buying your first place but don’t know the difference between home equity and Homer Simpson, don’t worry. You’re not alone. The home-buying industry works differently ...

If you've been weighing your borrowing options, chances are that you're well aware of how expensive borrowing is overall in today's high-rate landscape. But while rates on credit cards and loans are ...

Matt Richardson is the senior managing editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com. He writes and edits content about personal finance ranging from savings to investing to insurance.

$11.6 trillion. That's how much home equity was available for homeowners to borrow entering the third quarter of 2025, according to a report released in August. Around 48 million homeowners have ...

We might earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. You have a home equity ...