Let your home’s equity work for you with a Home Equity Line of Credit
If you’re looking for a large sum of money to use for a home improvement project, or the economic devastation of COVID-19 has left you in desperate need of cash, consider tapping into your home’s equity. One great way to do this is by opening a Home Equity Line of Credit, or a HELOC. Let’s take a closer look at HELOCs and why they can be an excellent option for cash-strapped homeowners in today’s financial climate.
What is a HELOC?
A HELOC is a revolving credit line allowing homeowners to borrow money against the equity of their home. The HELOC becomes a second mortgage on a home; if the borrower owns the entire home, the HELOC is a primary mortgage.
Given that a HELOC is a line of credit and not a fixed loan, borrowers can withdraw money from the HELOC as needed rather than borrowing one lump sum. This allows for more freedom than a loan and is especially beneficial for borrowers who don’t know exactly how much money they’ll ultimately need to fund their venture.
Borrowers withdraw funds (aka “draws” or “advances”) from the HELOC during a set amount of time that is known as the “draw period,” which generally lasts 10 years. At SouthPoint, we don’t place restrictions on HELOCs that would require borrowers to withdraw a minimum amount of money each time they make a draw.
How do I repay my HELOC?
Repayment of HELOCs varies, but is usually very flexible. We require ongoing monthly payment toward both principal and interest, with principal reduction payments welcomed.
When the draw period or open ended credit portion ends, we allow borrowers to pay back the loan in monthly installments over another set amount of time, known as the “repayment period.” Repayment periods are generous, lasting as long as 10 years.
How can borrowers spend the money?
While home improvement projects are popular uses for HELOCs, borrowers are free to spend the money however they please. Some other uses for HELOCs include debt consolidation, funding a wedding, adoption, dream vacation or the launch of a new business.
Is everyone eligible for a HELOC?
Like every loan and line of credit, HELOCs have eligibility requirements, which help lenders determine the applicant’s financial wellness and responsibility. Most notably, the borrower must have a minimal amount of equity in the home.
Lender requirements vary, but most homeowners will be eligible for a HELOC with a debt-to-income ratio that is 40% or less, a credit score of 620 or higher and a home assessment that stands at a minimum of 15% more than what is owed.
How much can I borrow with a HELOC?
HELOC amounts vary along with three criteria: the value of your home, the percentage of that value the lender allows you to borrow against and the outstanding amount on an existing mortgage. If your primary mortgage is with SouthPoint Home Mortgage, you can borrow up to the full value of your home, minus what is owed against it. Requirements for HELOCs where the primary mortgage isn’t with us are typically up to 90% of the appraised value.
What are the disadvantages of a HELOC?
A HELOC is secured by your home’s equity, which places your home at risk of foreclosure if the HELOC is not repaid. Before opening a HELOC, it’s a good idea to run the numbers to get an idea of what your monthly payments will look like and whether you can easily afford to meet them.
Finally, if you don’t plan to stay in your home for long, a HELOC may not be the right choice for you. When you sell your home, you’ll need to pay off the full balance of the HELOC. You may also need to pay a cancellation fee to the lender.
A HELOC can be a great option now
HELOCs have variable interest rates, which means the interest on the loan can fluctuate over the life of the loan, sometimes dramatically. This variable is based on a publicly available index, such as the U.S. Treasury Bill rate, and will rise or fall along with this index, though lenders will also add a margin of a few percentage points of their own.
The fallout of COVID-19 may impact the economy for months, or years, to come; however, there is a silver lining among the rising unemployment rates and bankrupt businesses: historically low interest rates. The average APR for fixed 30-year mortgages has hovered at the low 3% for months now. The low rates make it an excellent time to take out a HELOC with manageable payback terms.
The economic uncertainty the pandemic has generated also makes it a prime time to have extra cash available for any need that may arise.
Are you looking to tap into your home’s equity with a HELOC? Call, click, or stop by SouthPoint today to get started. Our favorable rates, generous eligibility requirements, and easy terms make a SouthPoint HELOC a great choice.