If your home is worth more than the total mortgage balance plus any property liens - congratulations! You have what those in the real estate game call "equity". Bust out the confetti cannons because the good news keeps on coming. Homeowners can borrow against their equity using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to achieve a variety of financial goals.
Similar to a credit card, HELOCs come with a pre-set credit limit you can borrow against whenever you need the funds. But unlike credit cards, HELOCs use your home as collateral. This helps reduce the cost of borrowing and could mean higher credit limits. However, not all HELOC spending is created equal.
Here are some ways to use HELOC funds to improve your financial standing and your lifestyle.