To calculate your home's equity, subtract the balance on all debts secured by your home – including your primary mortgage and any secondary loans – from your property's current appraised value. The ...

Mary Beth Eastman is a contributor to Buy Side and finance expert, specializing in loans, mortgages and insurance. Staff Personal Finance Editor, Buy Side Valerie Morris is a staff editor at Buy Side ...

Home equity is the portion of a house that the homeowner holds outright — the difference between the house's value and the total amount they owe on the home. As their equity increases, homeowners can ...