What is equity?

The equity in your home can be used to secure finance for a variety of things. It might be a home extension. An investment property. A new car or another big-ticket purchase.

Knowing how to use your equity effectively and making it work for you could be an invaluable wealth-building tool.

Let’s look at what equity is, how it grows and how you can access it.

Equity explained

Equity is the proportion of your property that you actually own. In other words, it’s the difference between the market value of your property and your loan balance.

Let’s say your property’s market value is $400,000 and you owe the lender $220,000. Your total equity is $180,000.

Then there’s your useable equity. Banks will typically lend you 80% of the value of your home, minus what you owe on it.

In the scenario above, your useable equity would be the value of your property at 80%, $320,000, minus your mortgage of $220,000 = $100,000.

In some instances, you may be able to borrow more if you take out Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance.

How does equity grow?

The property’s value increases

If your property goes up in value, so too will your equity.

• To help ensure your property appreciates in value:
• Spend plenty of time researching the area and the property (talk to us if you need guidance in researching the area/property).
• Look for areas experiencing economic growth. More jobs mean more people will be moving there and there will be higher demand for housing.
• Ensure the property is close to amenities like public transport, schools and shops.
• Investigate any zoning changes or future developments that could affect your property’s value.
• Choose a property that will appeal to as many future buyers as possible.
• Consider renovating to drive up the property’s price tag.

Your debt decreases

Another way to grow your equity is to pay down your mortgage.

By decreasing the amount you owe the lender, the proportion of the property you own will increase.

You can potentially help reduce your debt quicker by:

• Choosing a home loan that allows you to make extra repayments.
• Making repayments more often (weekly or fortnightly, rather than monthly).
• Opting for a shorter-term loan that could help you pay off your debt sooner.
• Using loan features such as offset accounts that may help you decrease the amount of interest you pay and aid you in building your equity

How can I access my equity?

Refinance

If you need a large amount of money, for example, for a deposit for your next property, you may consider refinancing to unlock your equity.

This involves taking out a new loan to pay off your old mortgage, with some money left over – that is, your equity.

To find out how much equity you have, your property will need to undergo a valuation. The bank will consider the property’s current market value, your income, expenses and debt levels when assessing your application.

Top-up your loan

Increasing or topping up your existing loan could allow you to unlock extra funds.

Your lender will consider the amount of equity in the property and your current financial circumstances when deciding whether you’re eligible for a top-up loan.

Remember to budget for any increase in your repayments as a result of topping-up your loan.

Other options 

If you need funds for smaller renovations, a line of credit may be the way to go.

Lines of credit allow you to access your equity up to an approved limit.

Other options like redraw facilities may also work for you. These give you the ability to access any additional repayments you’ve made on your loan above the minimum amount.