Author:Ari Socolow
on June 29, 2015
- modified on March 13, 2024
Here are the four steps to take before applying for a home equity loan.
Every year, homeowners take out billions of dollars in home equity loans and equity lines of credit – and why not? Home equity loans are a great way to tap into the value of your home so you can afford some of life's major expenses, like a home upgrade or remodel, college tuition or a wedding. Many people use home equity loans to consolidate high-interest debts like credit cards and unsecured personal loans. But before you start filling out applications, there are a few things you should do to ensure you're positioned to get the best loan at the best rate possible. Read on to see what you should be doing right now to get the most from your loan:
First, check your credit. If you're applying for a home equity loan - or any type of loan or credit - the first thing you should do is check your credit report. Your credit report is used to determine your credit score – and your score, in turn, can determine whether or not you qualify for a loan. Federal law entitles you to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. All you have to do to request yours is to go to a free credit report site (like AnnualCreditReport.com) and download them. Once you have your copies, review them carefully, looking for any errors. Even minor errors may have an impact on your credit score, so be vigilant in your review. If you find an error in the way an account is reported – for instance, incorrect reporting of a late payment or collections report – be sure to contact the creditor immediately to request a correction.
Next, take some time to boost your credit score. Your credit score is based on the information in your credit report. That means that in addition to correcting errors, there are some other things you should be doing to make your report - and your score - as positive as possible. Ideally, you'll begin repairing your credit a few months before you apply for a loan, but even if you only have a month or so, you can still boost your score by a couple points with just a few changes in your buying behavior. Make sure you pay all your bills on time, and if you're over your limit or concerned you'll be late on a payment, call your creditor to let them know and make arrangements so it doesn't appear as a late payment. If you can, pay down the balances on your credit cards; if you're at or near your limits, your credit score will suffer. Ideally, you want to be below 20 percent of a card's limits, but if that's not doable, any decrease in your outstanding balance can help boost your score. Most importantly, if you carry a large balance, avoid using your card during the loan process – and don't take out any new lines of credit until after you receive your loan proceeds.
While you're improving your credit report and score, you should also be improving your home to make sure your home appraises for its full value. Why? Because the appraisal of your home's value will play a big role in determining the size of your home equity loan and the amount of equity you can tap into. It just makes sense to ensure your home looks its best when the appraiser comes to call. Of course, if you're taking out a home equity loan, chances are you don't have a lot of money to spend on major home improvements. But the good news is, you don't have to sink a lot of money into your home to impress your appraiser. Simple things like washing woodwork and walls, deep-cleaning your rooms, renting a carpet cleaning machine, putting some potted plants on your front porch and making sure minor repairs are made can help your home make the best impression during your appraisal.
And finally, know how much money you really need. When interest rates are low or your appraisal is high, it's tempting to take out a loan that's far in excess of what you really need. That can mean you wind up overextending yourself and getting in over your head when it comes time to make payments. To make sure you don't wind up in financial hot water, make a plan for how you're going to use your loan proceeds, including how much you really need to meet those goals – and then stick with it. That means if you're intending to use your loan to pay for tuition, avoid the temptation to slip in a vacation – even if you feel it's well-deserved. Having a plan and knowing your limits are two important steps in responsible – and smart – borrowing.
That's it – four simple steps are all it takes to make sure your home equity loan process is as rewarding and stress-free as possible. Take a few moments right now to get started, and soon you'll be on your way to making your financial dreams and goals come true.
Ari Socolow: Ari Socolow is the Chief Economist and Editor-in-Chief at BestCashCow. He is particularly interested in issues relating to bank transparency and the climate crisis. Since co-founding BestCashCow in 2005, Ari has been frequently cited in the media as an expert on local and national savings accounts, CD products, mortgage and loan products and credit card rewards products.
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.
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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.
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Spring EQ LLC NMLS ID #1464945 (nmlsconsumeracces.org).
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Closed-end fixed rate loans and fixed and adjustable rate HELOC options are available. Spring EQ is an Equal Housing Lender. These results are for informational purposes only. This offer is an invitation to apply for an offer for credit or a loan and should not be construed as an indication of eligibility or a binding underwriting decision. Rates are subject to change based on market conditions and the entries of your specific application.
All loans are subject to $995 origination fee and annual fee of $99 (except in certain states, where fees may be lower or not applicable), plus third-party fees. Monthly payment shown reflects monthly principal and interest amortized over the term of the loan based on the initial draw amount.
Spring EQ applicants are required to provide a current and valid completed application, proof of income, mortgage statement, property hazard insurance, and a photo ID. Any pre-qualification or result is in no way a pre-approval, indication of eligibility, or binding underwriting decision. All borrowers are required to meet Spring EQ's current underwriting guidelines including verifications of applicant’s credit profile and property value, $25,000 initial draw requirement OR 75% of the line amount (whichever is greater), a FICO score of 640 or greater, and a debt-to-income ratio of less than 50%. Actual rate and APR for qualified borrowers will be determined by a combination of factors, including their creditworthiness as determined by a single credit bureau pull, loan amount requested, property value, and more.
In addition to these, other factors specific to applicants' profile and Spring EQ's Underwriting Guidelines may impact rate and eligibility. Offers subject to origination fees based on loan type and property state.
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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.
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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.
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Home Equity Loans & Refinance – Cash out
Customized rate quote with no impact to credit
Low Rates, Quick Approvals, Wide Range of Products
1. APRs for initial advances range from 8.25% to 18.00% based on funded HELOCs as of September 2024. Your actual rate will depend on many factors such as your credit history, loan-to-value ratio, line amount, loan term, lien position, and property state. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. The APR is variable, but the APR that will apply to each draw will be fixed on the date the draw is made.
2. As of October 2024, 10% of funded HELOCs achieved a closing timeline of 6 days or less and a funding timeline of 10 days or less. This timeline assumes consumers close with our remote online notary, provide supporting documentation promptly, and ensure the information provided is accurate and consistent with our verification process. Delays, discrepancies, and other unforeseen factors may impact the closing timeline. MBA’s 2024 Home Lending Study reports an average industry closing time of 31 days.
3. A Home Equity Line of Credit has a variable rate. The APR may change, but the APR that will apply to each draw will be fixed on the date the draw is made. Your APR will be the Prime Rate at the time of draw plus a margin fixed for the life of the HELOC.
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