Applying for A Home Equity Loan - What you Need to Know

Author: BestCashCow Editorial Board on January 30, 2011

efore you apply for a home equity loan, first decide if a fixed-rate home equity loan (HEL) or a variable-rate home equity line of credit (HELOC) will better suit your needs. While a home equity loan offers you a fixed interest rate for a set amount to be repaid over a specified period of time, a home equity line of credit is more flexible - you can borrow what you need up to your approved credit amount at a variable rate that can adjust.

Before you apply for a home equity loan, first decide if a fixed-rate home equity loan (HEL) or a variable-rate home equity line of credit (HELOC) will better suit your needs. While a home equity loan offers you a fixed interest rate for a set amount to be repaid over a specified period of time, a home equity line of credit is more flexible - you can borrow what you need up to your approved credit amount at a variable rate that can adjust.

Loan Application Questions

Since both are secured by the collateral in your home, there are specific questions you will want answered before you apply:

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)	Is the rate fixed or variable? What is the actual APR once the introductory period ends, if any? How often can the rate adjust?
Cap	What is the maximum rate amount your loan can increase annually? During its lifetime?
Closing costs	How much do fees and other closing costs add to the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)? What are my out-of-pocket costs?
Conversion	Does your adjustable loan allow you to convert to a fixed rate? If so, how many conversions are allowed and is there a conversion fee?
Draw period	How long will the money be available to use?
Fees	Are any of the fees due upfront, refundable, or built into the costs of the loan?
Index	What is the index used to calculate your HELOC rate and how often does it change?
Margin	How many percentage points are added to the index to determine your adjustable HELOC rate?
Pre-payment penalty	Are there any fees to pay my loan off early?
Relationship Banking Benefits	Are there any benefits if I have my checking, savings, and home equity loan accounts at the same institution?
Repayment period	Is there a balloon payment due at the end of the loan period, or do I have an additional period of time to repay the loan?
Transaction fee	Is there a transaction fee for accessing your HELOC?
Withdrawal amount	Is there a minimum amount you have to withdraw each time you access your HELOC?

Make sure to speak with a loan officer should you have other questions regarding loan terms and rates. Compare home equity rates.

: BestCashCow's Editorial Board has been led by Ari Socolow since 2008.

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New Savings and CD Rates

Featured - Home Equity Line Of Credit Rates 2024

Lender	APR (%)^?	Monthly Payment^?	Learn More
Third Federal Savings and Loan	Intro APR 7.490 % After Intro: 7.490 %	$0	Learn More More Info
Conditions… Variable APR of Prime minus 1.01% in all states. Min loan amount $10,000. Max loan amount $200,000. 30-year term. Annual fee waived for the first year. See conditions for guarantee at thirdfederal.com. Third Federal rate are typically 20% lower than other leaders Guaranteed Lowest Rate No closing costs, prepayment penalties, or minimum draw requirements 10 year draw period
Achieve Loans	Intro APR 9.250 % After Intro: 9.250 %	$0	Learn More More Info
All terms are estimates until underwriting is complete. Offer shown includes a .50% discount for automatic payment enrollment (autopay enrollment is not a condition of loan approval). 10, 15, 20, and 30-year terms available (20 and 30 year terms only available for cash out requests). All terms have a 5-year draw period with the remaining term being a no draw period. Payments are fully amortized during each period and determined on the outstanding principal balance each month. Closing fees range from $750 to $6,685, depending on line amount and state law requirements and typically include origination (2.5% of line amount) and underwriting ($725) fees if allowed by law. Property must be owner-occupied and combined loan-to-value ratio may not exceed 80%, including the new loan request. Property insurance is required and flood insurance may be required if the subject property is located in a flood zone. You must pledge your home as collateral. Offers are only valid in states where Achieve is licensed. Loans are not available to residents of all states and available loan terms and fees may vary by state where offered. Contact Achieve Loans for further details. Competitive rates, Pre-qualify in minutes Mortgage Advisors standing by to help find the best solution Flexible terms with fast funding Minimum credit score: 640
PenFed Credit Union	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
Interest-only payments during the 10-year draw period Home Equity Line of Credit - Equal Housing Lender Loans Amounts from $25,000 - $500,000 Get a HELOC from PenFed to Put Your Home Equity to Work HELOCs Can Offer Lower Rates Than Credit Cards or Personal Loans
District Lending	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
HELOC, HELOAN or CASHOUT REFI all available. No Lender Fees Fast Easy Over 20 Years Experience
Rate	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
A Guaranteed Rate HELOC is secured with your home as collateral, whereas personal loans and credit cards are not. To check the rates and terms you qualify for, we will conduct a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you continue and submit an application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit. Approval may be granted in five minutes but is ultimately subject to verification of income and employment, as well as verification that your property is in at least average condition with a property condition report. Five business day funding timeline assumes closing the loan with our remote online notary. Funding timelines may be longer for loans secured by properties located in counties that do not permit recording of e-signatures or that otherwise require an in-person closing. Guaranteed Rate Home Equity Line is an open-end product where the full loan amount (minus lender, broker, third party, and governement fees, as applicable) will be 100% drawn at the time of origination. The initial amount funded at origination will be based on a fixed rate; however, this product contains an additional draw feature. As the borrower repays the balance on the line, the borrower may make additional draws during the draw period. If the borrower elects to make an additional draw, the interest rate for that draw will be set as of the date of the draw and will be based on an Index, which is the Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal for the calendar month preceding the date of the additional draw, plus a fixed margin. Accordingly, the fixed rate for any additional draw may be higher than the fixed rate for the initial draw. Apply in 5 minutes, get your money in as fast as 5 days. Digital application experience. Funds directly to your bank account. No in-person appraisal needed.
AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
Home Equity Lines, Refinance, & Second Mortgages Unlock your Home’s Equity for Cash Low Rates: Instant Quote & Credit Approval Over $100 Billion Funded. 21 Years in Business Home Equity Lines, Refinance, & Second Mortgages Unlock your Home’s Equity for Cash Low Rates: Instant Quote & Credit Approval Over $100 Billion Funded. 21 Years in Business
Figure Home Equity Line	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
The Figure Home Equity Line is an open-end product where the full loan amount (minus the origination fee) will be 100% drawn at the time of origination. The initial amount funded at origination will be based on a fixed rate; however, this product contains an additional draw feature. As the borrower repays the balance on the line, the borrower may make additional draws during the draw period. If the borrower elects to make an additional draw, the interest rate for that draw will be set as of the date of the draw and will be based on an Index, which is the Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal for the calendar month preceding the date of the additional draw, plus a fixed margin. Accordingly, the fixed rate for any additional draw may be higher than the fixed rate for the initial draw. Fastest way to turn home equity into cash Flexible terms, redraw up to 100%, borrow $20k-$400k Approval in as little as 5 minutes. Funding in as few as 5 days. Use to consolidate debt or finance your next home project
CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
Please note that the interest rates offered are subject to change based on market conditions and borrower eligibility. The pricing and rate provided are accurate as of the specified date. It is important to be aware that the minimum loan amount for any loan program is $50,000. The specific amount and terms of the credit offer will be determined based on underwriting approval and guidelines, which include factors such as your credit history, your ability to make payments, and the available equity in your home. To qualify for this offer, you must meet the required criteria and demonstrate creditworthiness. Additionally, providing up to two years of income verification may be necessary. The severity of your credit may also impact the required down payment. It is crucial to understand that the lender reserves the right to cancel this offer if the provided information cannot be verified. Please note that all bankruptcies must be discharged in order to be eligible. This offer is nontransferable and is specifically available for single-family residences or owner-occupied condominiums. Please be aware that mobile homes and cooperatives are not included in this offer. It is important to note that the lender must hold a valid first lien position, and property hazard insurance is a requirement. These are some key details to consider when evaluating this offer. It is essential to thoroughly review the terms and conditions and seek clarification from the lender regarding any specific questions or concerns you may have before proceeding with the application process. Transform Your Home Equity Into Cash: Explore our Tech-Powered Solutions! Unlock Your Home's Value: Discover the Power of our Online HELOC! Maximize Your Equity: Get Cash-Out Using Our HELOC for Your Next Big Step Secure Your Future: Experience the Ease of our Fixed Home Equity Loans