Those already in retirement who can't qualify for a line of
credit may need to consider a reverse mortgage, which is another way to
tap your home equity, albeit likely at a higher interest rate and with
less flexibility.
But it will nevertheless come with two negative effects on economic growth: Consumers will have
less equity to
tap through their equity lines of
credit, and they'll feel
less wealthy based on their unrealized gain, both of which will inhibit their spending.