Why you should get a home equity loan when prices are high

The interest rate environment in the United States has not been particularly favorable in recent months. And with the Federal Reserve expected to raise interest rates again this week, the potential for relief looks dim. 

While interest rate hikes have hurt homebuyers and current owners looking to refinance, their influence on home values has varied. Some home values have since dropped from where they were in 2020 and 2021 while others have stayed steady or even increased. In January 2023, home prices jumped 3.8% from where they were 12 months earlier. In…