What Is A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)?

HELOC (pronounced “he-lock”) is an acronym for Home Equity Line of Credit. A HELOC gives you access to credit that is secured by the equity you have in your home.

Why Get a HELOC? What Are the Benefits?

HELOCs are a popular option for homeowners, especially for financing home-improvement projects. Not all HELOCs are the same, but they usually feature flexible repayment options, offer better rates than unsecured loans or credit cards, and bring all the benefits of a line of credit.

How Could I Use a HELOC?

There are a lot of ways to use a Home Equity Line of Credit. Below are a few of the most popular ways people have used them, but you can also read about more uses here.

• Financing home improvement. This is the most common reason people get this line of credit. Improvements to your home increase its value, so home improvements are like a low-risk investment. Getting a HELOC uses the value of your equity to help finance these improvements and increase the overall value of your home or property.
• Debt consolidation. If you have credit card debt, car payments, or other high-interest loans, using a HELOC to pay them off could help you save money on interest or monthly payments. Because they are secured against your home’s equity, HELOCs often offer a lower interest rate than unsecured loans or standard credit cards.
• Major purchases. Since a HELOC is a line of credit, you can use it to pay for almost anything. People have used Home Equity Line of Credit to pay for weddings, starting families, once-in-a-lifetime vacations, medical expenses, and many more things. Always consult with a financial advisor and be sure you fully understand the terms, risks, and repayment requirements before using any loan product.
• 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. But if you don’t have the cash on hand, a HELOC could help cover medical expenses, car repairs and other unexpected costs.

HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan?

While both a HELOCs and Home Equity loans are secured by your home equity, HELOCs have some specific benefits

• With HELOCs, you only pay for the credit you use. You can draw funds any time during the draw period and make repayments as you go. Traditional home equity loans are paid to you up front in a lump sum, so you must begin paying on the full amount of the loan from the start.
• HELOCs offer flexible repayment options. HELOCs often allow for interest-only payments during the draw period (usually around 10 years). This can give you more time and budget flexibility than traditional home equity loans.
• HELOCs can help cover you during emergencies. Because they are so flexible and often have no minimum draw amount, HELOCs can be an easy way to add credit to your financial life that can be used in the event of an emergency.

The benefits of Home Equity loans mostly come from their predictability. Home equity loans are usually lump-sum, fixed-interest-rate loans with straightforward repayment terms. If you know exactly how much your expenses will be and are certain you can repay on a fixed schedule, a home equity loan may be right for you. You can learn more about these differences by reading “HELOC vs Home Equity Loan: What’s the Difference?”

No matter what you choose, it’s important to always bear in mind that HELOCs and home equity loans are not risk-free. You’re securing your purchases with your home. If you don’t pay your loans, you could face serious consequences, like losing your house or damaging your credit. As with all credit or loan products, it’s best to do your research, speak to a financial advisor, and make a plan for repaying before you apply.

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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.