(CNBC) — Despite three years of a solid recovery in home prices, a surprising number of homeowners don't realize what they've gained.
Most underestimate what their home is worth and, consequently, the amount of home equity that they could draw upon. Even more striking, just more than half of homeowners with a mortgage don't expect to gain any equity in 2016, despite rising home prices. It may be why home equity lines of credit are far less popular today than they were even before the housing boom.
Single family homes
Bob O'Connor | Getty Images
"Homeowners who bought during the housing boom are regaining equity many thought was lost forever, yet too many are not aware of the equity they have gained or they are unclear about how to determine changes in their equity," said Bryan Sullivan, chief financial officer at loanDepot, an independent, nonbank lender.
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