How is equity most accurately defined?

Equity is defined as the difference between the value of a property and the amount still owed on any mortgages or other debts associated with the property. In other words, it is the ownership interest in a property. Option A is incorrect because it only considers the initial loan amount and does not take into account any interest that may have accrued over time. Option B is incorrect because it only looks at the payments made, rather than considering the total value of the property. Option D is incorrect because it only considers the appraisal value, which may not accurately reflect the current market value of the property. Therefore, the most accurate definition of equity is option C, as it takes into account the current value of the property as well as any outstanding debts.