Learn how to effectively use a home equity loan, turning the equity in your home into a powerful financial tool for improvement projects, debt consolidation, and more.

J.R. Duren is a content marketing writer for CBS MoneyWatch's Managing Your Money team. Before you commit, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully. For example, a home ...

A home improvement loan refers to a way to use a loan rather than a type of loan, as you can use any number of loan types to finance the improvements. You might take out a home equity loan or line of ...

With Americans collectively sitting on record-high $11.6 trillion in tappable home equity as of August 2025, which explains why so many are turning to home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to access ...

Is a home equity loan right for you? You’ve been faithfully paying your mortgage for decades, watching your home’s value climb while your loan balance shrinks. Now that you’re approaching or already ...

While you've been focused on everything else life throws at you, your property has been working behind the scenes. Most people build equity as they pay down their mortgage and property values rise.