If you’re a homeowner in the Okanagan, chances are your property has seen a significant rise in value.

With home prices continuing to trend upward, many are sitting on a valuable asset—home equity. But what exactly is home equity, and how can you put it to work?

What is home equity and how much can you access?

Home equity is the portion of your home that you truly own—calculated by subtracting the remaining mortgage balance from the current appraised value of your property. If you’re eligible, you may be able to access up to 80% of your home’s lending value. That’s capital you could be using to support your goals—financial or otherwise.

Here’s how many homeowners are strategically putting their equity to work:

Stay and upgrade

Low housing inventory has led many people to invest in their current homes instead of moving.

Whether it’s a new kitchen,........

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