A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a line of credit that allows you to tap into your home’s equity.
How it Works
Like a credit card, a HELOC is a revolving line of credit that allows you to borrow up to a certain limit, pay it off, and then borrow it again. That limit is determined by a percentage that the lender sets for you called the LTV (loan-to-value). The LTV is the ratio of how much you owe on your home versus how much it’s actually worth. The amount of money that a bank or credit union will allow you to borrow for your HELOC will depend on what they set as their max acceptable LTV.HELOC vs Credit Card
While it’s similar to a credit card, a HELOC works slightly differently. One difference is that HELOCs have a time limit. First, there’s the draw period. This is generally a 10-year period where you can withdraw and use the money in a HELOC. You’ll often still need to make payments during this phase and those payments will go toward interest. Second, is the repayment period. Once you reach this period, you’ll no longer be able to borrow money and will start repaying the principal and the interest you’ve accumulated. The repayment period generally lasts 10-20 years. If you decide to move before the repayment period is over or you’ve paid everything back, the remaining balance will be due before you close.
Qualifying for a HELOC
In order to qualify, you’ll need to prove to your potential lender that you will be able to pay back any money you borrow. Your lender will consider your debt to income ratio (DTI), your credit score, and more. The lender that you choose for your HELOC does not have to be the same as your mortgage provider.Taking the Risk
Before jumping headfirst into a HELOC, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with it. First and foremost, a HELOC requires you to put your home up as collateral in exchange for the credit line. This means that if your situation changes drastically and you’re suddenly unable to make your payments, you risk losing your home. You also reduce your equity in your home when you use a HELOC, as you are increasing the debt that you owe against it.
Plus, a HELOC isn’t free money. There are fees associated with opening and maintaining it. Similarly, HELOCs have variable credit rates. This means that they change with market factors. You may be able to start out with a low rate at the beginning, but it could rise to something that is much less affordable.
Lowering & Freezing
Lenders can lower or freeze a HELOC. That means that if something happens that significantly changes things from when you first opened the HELOC, the terms of the HELOC could change as well. The lender can lower your approved amount or even refuse to allow you to borrow any more. Some situations where this could happen include if the value of your home drops significantly or if the lender has reason to believe that you will no longer be able to make your payments.