U.S. accessible home equity hits record $13.2 trillion as home equity loans fuel small-business lending

Homeowners in the U.S. have unlocked a record $13.2 trillion in accessible home equity, as reported by First American Data & Analytics in its first report on the subject, according to Yahoo Finance and HousingWire. The rise in available equity coincides with home values increasing, with the typical U.S. home valued at $366,157 in September 2026, up 1.2% from the previous year, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.

HousingWire reported that $500 million in small-business loans each year are now being funded through home equity products, as more entrepreneurs use their homes to finance ventures. This activity occurs amid current mortgage rates tracked by MONEY and home equity loan rates published by Forbes, both as of October 28, 2026, indicating continued consumer engagement with home-based borrowing.

Mortgage Professional America noted that a seasoned lending professional has created tools aimed at helping loan officers manage the growing volume and complexity of home equity transactions, without specifying how widespread adoption may be. The sources do not clarify whether lending practices or risk assessments have changed in response to these shifts.