When a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is right for you

Please note: Discover® Home Loans offers a home equity loan product, but does not offer HELOCs.

Is a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) the best solution for your financial needs? These guidelines will help you decide.

What is a HELOC?

A HELOC is a line of credit, usually with a variable rate, that is secured by the equity in your home. It typically has a draw period between five and ten years, during which you can withdraw funds as needed up to the loan limit. As with a credit card, paying back the funds makes them available for later use. At the end of the five-year term, you can no longer withdraw funds.

The HELOC then becomes a regular 10, 15, or 20-year loan, which allows for lower payments. For example, if you drew down $60,000 the repayment period was for a 20 year term at 8.86% APR (assuming no increases or decreases), your fixed monthly payments would be $534.45.

READ MORE: HELOC: Home Equity Line of Credit Handbook

Who qualifies and for how much?

A homeowner with enough equity is eligible for this type of loan. Typically, a borrower can borrow less than 90% of the home’s combined loan-to-value (CLTV), including a first lien loan, if there is one. Therefore, the amount owed on the first mortgage is a determining factor in the size of the loan.

What is the tax impact?

While individuals should check with their tax advisors to ensure that they meet the IRS criteria, interest on HELOCs on a primary residence may be tax-deductible if you are using the money for home improvement (consult your tax advisor).

What is the biggest advantage of a HELOC?

Flexibility is one of the most attractive benefits of this type of loan. A HELOC allows for repeat use of your equity, with interest charged against the amount you borrow. This provides you with an easy way to access the cash you have invested in your home, along with the flexibility of a lower payment than other forms of credit. Funds sourced can be used for many purposes, not just home improvement.

If your cash needs are large and spread out over time, such as paying college tuition by semester or proceeding with stages of a major renovation, a HELOC can be a viable option. You don’t have to pay interest on money that you are not yet using.

If your first mortgage is at a good rate, you might want to leverage a HELOC to access your equity without interfering with your first loan.

When should you choose a different type of loan?

Start by discussing your needs with your mortgage lender.

If you want to consolidate debt, a HELOC may not be a good choice, particularly because the rate is often variable. A closed-end loan, such as a second mortgage or even a refinanced first mortgage, is generally a better solution as it is usually a fixed rate over the repayment term of the loan.

If you only need a small amount of money and for a short time, the origination fees and other costs of a HELOC may offset its advantages, as compared to a credit card or another short-term loan.

Since a HELOC may be a variable-rate loan, you should compare the value of its flexibility to the costs of obtaining a fixed-rate second or even a new first mortgage.