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.

For most homeowners, their home has become more than just a place to live — it's also a powerful financial asset. After years of rising home values, the average homeowner now has about $313,000 in ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.