As you pay down your mortgage and your property appreciates, you build equity — a hidden store of value that you can access through tools like home equity loans or HELOCs. Used wisely, this money can fund college, start businesses, or invest in more real estate.

Rather than letting equity sit dormant, homeowners can tap into it to create cash-generating assets or cover life milestones. It’s critical to treat this borrowed equity with the same caution as a loan, but when used thoughtfully, it opens up wealth-building opportunities without selling your home.