home equity

home equity, the difference between a home’s fair market value and the outstanding balance on all mortgage loans on the property. Home equity increases as the homeowner makes mortgage payments that apply toward the principal balance or as the home’s market value appreciates.

Home equity can be used as collateral for a conventional home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which is a debt instrument that allows homeowners to borrow money by using their home equity as a pledge to secure the repayment of the loan.