Five Things to Consider When Shopping for a Home Equity Loan

Author: Ari Socolow on January 30, 2011 - modified on September 10, 2017

Before you rush to apply for a home equity loan, you will want to give serious consideration to how you intend to use the funds, since you are using your home as collateral.

Before you rush to apply for a home equity loan, you will want to give serious consideration to how you intend to use the funds, since you are using your home as collateral. To assist you in making the right decision, here are some potential risks you will want to be aware of:

Know your upfront costs. There may be costs for taking out a home equity loan. By comparing several lenders' rates and fees, you can make a better decision. Do not be afraid to question your lender about a fee you do not understand.
Getting a home loan is not temporary. While qualifying for the funds you need may be easy, taking on a long term payment could be detrimental to your financial goals. Replacing one debt with another may not be the best solution.
Beware of the balloon payment.Obtaining a low-interest rate home equity line of credit (HELOC) may require making a balloon payment at some point in time. Unless you decide to refinance, take out another loan, or sell your home before the payment is due, you may have to pay off the balance on your loan.
Be careful not to overspend. Since a home equity line of credit acts like an open line of credit you may be tempted to use your access card or write a check each time you need an infusion of cash. You might be better off saving these funds for large purchases. It is always best to have a goal and a repayment plan that works for you.
Beware of the maximum loan-to-value. Most financial institutions will let you borrow up to 80% of the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of your home less any outstanding mortgage payments on your property. Some lenders may offer 85% or 90% LTV but those can come with higher rates. Always ask for their best offer. Be careful not to max out your equity, in case home values decrease.

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.

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Featured - Home Equity Line Of Credit Rates 2024

Lender	APR (%)^?	Monthly Payment^?	Learn More
Third Federal Savings and Loan	Intro APR 7.240 % After Intro: 7.240 %	$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
Rate	Intro APR 8.250 % After Intro: 8.250 %	$25,000	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.
Achieve Loans	Intro APR 10.625 % After Intro: 10.625 %	$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
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
AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
• Home Equity Loans & Refinance – Cash out • Customized rate quote with no impact to credit • Low Rates, Quick Approvals, Wide Range of Products • Over 100 Billion Funded. 22 Years in Business Home Equity Loans & Refinance – Cash out Customized rate quote with no impact to credit Low Rates, Quick Approvals, Wide Range of Products Over 100 Billion Funded. 22 Years in Business
New American Funding, LLC	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
Cash-Out and Home Equity Options Available. Home Improvement, Buy a Vacation Home 303k+ positive reviews, A rating from the BBB Pay off higher interest rate credit cards, Pay college tuition 100% online mortgage application available
Spring EQ	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
About Spring EQ’s Rates and Terms Spring EQ LLC NMLS ID #1464945 (nmlsconsumeracces.org). No prepayment penalty. No need to refinance your first mortgage. 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. Access up to 90% of your home's equity, up to a maximum of $500,000. FIXLINE: The flexibility of a HELOC with the stability of a HELOAN. A fixed rate for life- no need to worry about fluctuating rates. We make it easy - and fast - to access your cash (as little as 11 days).
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
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
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
Upstart	0.000 %	$0	Learn More More Info
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. As low as 8.25% APR on your initial draw* Get your money up to 5x faster than the industry standard* Fixed rate on each draw* No paperwork needed to apply

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Five Things to Consider When Shopping for a Home Equity Loan

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