[throwaway173738]

Good luck accessing any of your home equity if you don’t have a job. I guess you could just sell your house of many years and move your family into an apartment.

[carlosjobim]

Yes, obviously that's what you have to do. And also thank God that you have that asset to sell to give you emergency cash.

[autoexec]

In may cases that'd be very foolish since mortgage payments are often way lower than rent.

[reaperducer]

Until you factor in maintenance, utilities, taxes, etc…

Depending on where you live, renting is often cheaper than owning, but real estate agents who make money off selling houses will never tell you the full cost of owning a home.