Yesterday Benjamin and I signed the papers for our home equity loan. Getting the loan was surprisingly pain-free (except for the pain of realizing my debt load). We also got a copy of our home appraisal and it is really incredible. According to this appraisal our house has increased in value more than 16% in a little over a year and a half (since we bought it). Woo hoo! And I'm sure that when the basement is finished it will be worth even more. It is nice to think we actually made a good investment. ;-)