I Have $700K in Home Equity, but a $500K Mortgage. Can I Use the Equity to Pay Down My Home Loan?

Jordi Salas / Getty Images It might not make sense to use your home equity to pay off your mortgage. Key Takeaways Technically, you can use home equity financing to pay off a home loan, but that's often counterproductive. The only ways to access home equity are to sell your home or take out new financing, which comes at a cost. The nearly 50% rise in home values over the past six years—from $243,398 in November 2019 to $359,241 in November 2025—has helped many homeowners enjoy a surge in home equity ...