Tapping Your Home Equity
Learn about you financing options, tax advantages and how to shop for the best loan for your needs.
Home equity loans and lines of credit are increasingly becoming the debt of choice for big-ticket purchases, such as home improvements, college tuition, new cars and even paying off other debt.
It's easy to understand why. Interest on most home equity loans is fully deductible on your tax return while interest on other forms of consumer debt is not.
Responding to the increased demand, banks are offering a wide array of enticing options to make it easier for homeowners to get at their equity.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
In this tutorial we'll explain some of those options, look at the tax advantages and tell you how to shop for the best loan.
- Loan Versus Line of Credit
The correct choice will depend on your needs and self-discipline. - How to Find the Best Deal
Consider these factors to zero in on the best loan for you. - Full Refinancing
This can give you access to your equity and a cheaper interest rate. If you stay put long enough, the extra fees may be worth it. - Re-Shopping Your Mortgage
Learn how to get the best deal and avoid surprises. - Best home equity rates in your area
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Aging: The Overlooked Risk Factor
Sponsored Elder care is a personal and financial vulnerability many people fail to plan for.
-
AI vs the Stock Market: How Did Alphabet, Nike and Industrial Stocks Perform in June?
AI is a new tool to help investors analyze data, but can it beat the stock market? Here's how a chatbot's stock picks fared in June.
-
Blue Collar Workers Add AI to Their Toolboxes
The Kiplinger Letter AI can’t fix a leak or install lighting, but more and more tradespeople are adopting artificial intelligence for back-office work and other tasks.
-
AI Goes To School
The Kiplinger Letter Artificial intelligence is rapidly heading to K-12 classrooms nationwide. Expect tech companies to cash in on the fast-emerging trend.
-
What To Know if You’re in the Market for a New Car This Year
The Kiplinger Letter Buying a new car will get a little easier, but don’t expect many deals.
-
Will Lower Mortgage Rates Bring Relief to the Housing Market?
The Kiplinger Letter As mortgage rates slowly come down here's what to expect in the housing market over the next year or so.
-
Car Prices Are Finally Coming Down
The Kiplinger Letter For the first time in years, it may be possible to snag a good deal on a new car.
-
New Graduates Navigate a Challenging Labor Market
The Kiplinger Letter Things are getting tough for new graduates. Job offers are drying up and the jobless rate is increasing. Are internships the answer?
-
When's the Best Time to Buy a Domestic Flight? The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter A new study by CheapAir.com has crunched the numbers.
-
Woes Continue for Banking Sector: The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter Regional bank stocks were hammered recently after news of New York Community Bank’s big fourth-quarter loss.