Are HELOCs Still a Good Idea?

If you’ve already paid for your house, there are still ways you can reap the benefits of what is often called “good debt.” You can use what’s called a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, to pay for a variety of expenses. There are a few key differences between a HELOC and your mortgage.

First, HELOC rates are far more stable. Between 2010 and 2014, home equity loans had an interest rate that fluctuated by more than 2%, while HELOC rates changed by less than 0.5%. Second, HELOC loans generally offer lower interest rates from the start. Because they’re secured by the equity you already have in your home instead of the possible resale value of your home, lenders need to charge less interest to secure the value of the loan. Third, HELOC loans usually offer a “grace period” of interest-only payments. You can pay a smaller amount each month for as much as several years, depending on the terms of your loan.

Because of these benefits, HELOC loans are on the rise. More than 976,000 people took out HELOC loans in the first three quarters of 2015, up significantly from those of the previous year. More people are borrowing more, too. The average HELOC limit in 2015 was $118,694.

Bear in mind, HELOC loans are not risk-free. You’re securing your purchases with your home. If you don’t pay your loans, you face very serious consequences. You can lose your house, seriously damage your credit and still be liable for the balance of the loan. Like all debt, HELOC loans are serious financial instruments. You should have a reason for using it and a plan for paying it off.

If you’re interested in getting a HELOC, WeStreet Credit Union can help. Let’s take a look at a few ways our members are using their HELOC to improve their lives and financial well-being:

• Financing home improvement. This is the most common reason given for using a HELOC. It makes sense. Improvements to your home increase its value, so home improvements are like a low-risk investment. Using the equity that’s in your home to finance these improvements is the cheapest way to increase the value of your holding.
• Debt consolidation. If you have a lot of “bad” debt, like credit cards, car payments or other high-interest loans, you can save a lot of money each month by paying off that debt with a HELOC. Your HELOC will have a lower rate of interest and you’ll only have to make one payment each month.
• Purchasing a car. Unlike your home, your car is certainly going to depreciate in value. If you buy a used car and resell it immediately, you will almost certainly lose money on that transaction. This depreciation means the interest rates on auto loans will be higher than those on your HELOC. You can also get a lower price overall by buying the car outright, which will allow you to work around financing fees from the dealer.
• Major purchases. For most people, the biggest source of wealth is their home. A home loan is one of the few monthly bills that actually builds wealth instead of zapping it. If you need to make a major purchase, the biggest source of capital you’re likely to have is your house. If you want to start a business, purchase a boat or an RV, or buy rental property, a HELOC is one of the best ways to finance it.
• Covering emergency expenses. Most financial experts recommend keeping an emergency fund that could cover you for between six months and a year if you lost your job. That’s good advice. If you don’t have the cash on hand, though, you can open a HELOC to cover medical expenses, car repairs and other unexpected costs. You should still work to build savings that can prevent borrowing in the event of a catastrophe. Opening a HELOC can provide you some security in the mean time.

This article is for educational purposes only. WeStreet Credit Union makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as legal, tax or financial advice. Nor does the information directly relate to our products and/or services terms and conditions.