Merrimack Valley CU
Auto & Personal Credit Card Mortgage & Home Equity Undergraduate, Graduate, & Refi Commercial Loans & Lines

Online Banking

Forgot Username?

Forgot Password?

Register

Need Help?

Online Banking

Forgot Username?

Forgot Password?

Register

Need Help?

home buying, home insurance, home ownership, home equity, equity, loan
Home / News & Financial Education / What is Home Equity?
What is Home Equity?By merrimack on 8/1/2024

What is Home Equity?

Home equity is the value of a homeowner's interest in their home. It is calculated as the difference between the home's current market value and the outstanding balance of any mortgages or liens on the property. For example, if your home is worth $300,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage, your home’s equity is $100,000.

How Home Equity Builds Over Time

Home equity can increase over time if your property's value increases or as your mortgage balance is paid down. As you chip away at the principal on your mortgage, your equity grows. Making extra payments or larger-than-required payments can accelerate this process.

How to Use Home Equity

There are a couple of ways to leverage your home’s equity:

  • Home Equity Loan: A Home Equity Loan is also known as a Second Mortgage.  It is a lump-sum loan with a fixed interest rate and repayment term. It’s ideal for major one-time expenses like home renovations, medical bills, or debt consolidation. The fixed rate provides predictable monthly payments, making it easier to budget.
  • Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): A HELOC is useful when you need access to additional funds but you're not sure how much or how often, such as for ongoing home renovations, college tuition or student loan payments, or paying for a wedding.

Benefits of Using Home Equity

Using your home’s equity comes with several advantages, including:

  • Low Interest Rates: Securing a loan with your home as collateral allows you to get a low interest rate compared to other forms of borrowing, such as personal loans or credit cards.
  • Flexible Use of Funds: You can use the money for almost any purpose, from home improvements to paying off higher-interest debt, or other financial needs.
  • Potential Tax Benefits: Interest on home equity loans may be tax-deductible if you itemize deductions and use the funds for qualified purposes, such as home improvements.

Whether you are planning home improvements, consolidating debt, or looking to invest in new ventures, your home’s equity can be an asset in achieving your financial goals.

Learn more

 

  • Share:

Category: Home Ownership



« Return to "Blog"

You may also like:

MVCU, savings
2/15/2024

Unlocking Financial Goals: The Power of Club Accounts

Need a smart strategy to save on essential school supplies? Planning your dream vacation or gearing up for the holiday season? With a club account, you can save for essential school supplies, exciting vacations, and joyful holiday celebrations, making your financial goals more attainable and stress-free.

Read more

By merrimackHome Ownership
MVCU, Taxes, Filing taxes, Tax tips
3/7/2024

Preparing for Tax Season

Now is the moment to turn your attention to your tax obligations. With less than 60 days remaining until the tax deadline now is a good time to prepare your documents and file.

Read more

By merrimackHome Ownership
credit union, credit card, credit cards, financial wellness, credit pulls, soft inquiries, hard inquiries
7/25/2024

Credit Pulls: Hard vs Soft Inquiries

Knowing how credit inquiries affect you is a big part of being financially healthy. When you apply for a credit card or loan the creditor will “pull” your credit. This is known as a hard inquiry – but there are also soft inquiries, too. Here is what makes them different:

Read more

By Jean ChatzkyHome Ownership
credit union, back to school, savings, budgeting, spending, sales, financial wellness, financial goals
7/25/2024

Mastering Back-to-School Savings

The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for families, but it also comes with the stress of managing expenses. From school supplies to clothing and extracurricular activities, the costs can quickly add up. Here are some saving strategies to help you send your kids back to school prepared:

Read more

By merrimackHome Ownership
Calendar, Calendar Contest, Community,
7/25/2024

2025 Calendar Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo to our contest, and to all of you who voted for your favorites! Our 2025 calendar theme is: “Best in Show.” This year, we celebrated the diverse and beloved pets that bring joy to our lives. We were excited to see so many proud pet parents showcasing what makes their companions truly special.

Read more

By merrimackHome Ownership
credit union, credit card, credit, debit, debit card, safety, scam,
7/25/2024

What is Card Skimming and How Can You Avoid It?

Card Skimming is a tactic that criminals use to obtain your sensitive information from your debit and credit cards. Criminals do this by installing devices on card-reading machines or other point-of-sale terminals. These devices capture and store data that the criminals use to sell or make purchases and withdrawals. Here’s what to know about card skimming and how to protect yourself.

Read more

By merrimackHome Ownership
home buying, home insurance, home ownership, home equity, equity, loan
8/1/2024

What is Home Equity?

Home equity is the value of a homeowner's interest in their home. It is calculated as the difference between the home's current market value and the outstanding balance of any mortgages or liens on the property. For example, if your home is worth $300,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage, your home’s equity is $100,000.

Read more

By merrimackHome Ownership