Equity is the difference between the value of a property and the amount of debt that is secured by the property. Equity may be positive or negative, depending on the value of the property and the amount of debt, and it may be used as a measure of a property's financial performance or as a source of financing. Equity may be built up over time through the payment of a mortgage or through the appreciation of a property, and it may be used to secure a loan or to refinance a property. Equity may also be lost through the sale of a property, through the depreciation of a property, or through the accumulation of debt. Equity is an important concept in real estate, as it represents the ownership interest or value of a property. Equity is often used as a measure of a property's financial health, and it may be a key factor in a buyer's decision-making process. Equity may also be used as a source of financing, through the sale of a property or through the use of a home equity loan or line of credit. Equity may be calculated by subtracting the amount of debt that is secured by a property from the value of the property, and it may be expressed as a percentage or as a dollar amount.