Right now, U.S. homeowners are holding onto a record $11.5 trillion in tappable equity—the kind you can borrow without selling your home or sacrificing your 20% equity cushion. And here’s the kicker: it just got cheaper to access that cash. Rates on home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) have dropped, making it one of the best times in years to put your home’s value to work. But the big question...