Homeowners Continue To Tap Equity  

Many US homeowners continue to take cash out of their homes even as mortgage rates climb and home sales slip, helping to brace the economy, economists said.  

This year, Americans who refinance their mortgages are expected to draw $257 billion of wealth out of their homes, according to mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac.   That's $13 billion more than the refinancing cash-out seen in 2005 — the hottest year of the recent housing boom.  

Get the full story here…