Definition

The portion of your home’s value that you actually own, calculated by subtracting your mortgage balance from the home’s market value.

What to consider

  • Track your mortgage balance versus your home’s market value.
  • Building equity can open doors for future borrowing.
  • Regular payments help increase your ownership over time.

Real world scenarios

  • After years of steady mortgage payments, Serena calculates she has built up $50,000 in home equity, giving her borrowing power for renovations.
  • Rising real estate prices boost Walter’s equity even though he hasn’t finished paying off his loan.
  • Tanya checks her current mortgage balance and compares it to the property’s market value, measuring how equity has grown.

Related terms

Real Estate & Homeownership