Homeowners are sitting on record equity – and not using it

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.

U.S. homeowners have more housing wealth than ever before, thanks to fast-rising home prices over the last several years. But they aren’t spending very much of it. 

In the second quarter of this year, there was a collective $11.5 trillion in so-called “tappable” home equity, according to Cotality, a data technology company. That is the amount borrowers could take out in debt while still leaving enough in the home to satisfy lenders. In total equity, borrowers with a mortgage have $17.9 trillion, or, on average, $310,000 per homeowner, which is $6,000 more than they had in the previous three months. LEARN MORE...