A HELOC, or Home Equity Line of Credit, is a type of loan that allows homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their home. Essentially, it's a revolving line of credit, like a credit card, where you can borrow, repay, and borrow again, up to a certain limit, using your home as collateral.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Equity as Collateral:
A HELOC uses the equity in your home (the value of your home minus what you owe on your mortgage) as security for the loan.
- Revolving Credit:
Unlike a traditional loan where you receive a lump sum, a HELOC provides a line of credit that you can draw from as needed during a specific period, called the draw period.
- Variable Interest Rates:
HELOCs typically have variable interest rates, which means your interest rate and monthly payments can fluctuate based on market conditions.
- Draw Period and Repayment:
During the draw period (often 5-10 years), you can borrow and repay funds. After the draw period, you enter the repayment period (often 10-20 years), where you pay back the outstanding balance.
- How it Works:
You can access the funds by writing checks, using a credit card associated with the HELOC, or through online transfers.
- Example:
If your home is worth $400,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage, you have $200,000 in equity. A HELOC might allow you to borrow, for example, up to $120,000 of that equity.
- Pros:
HELOCs can be useful for things like home renovations, debt consolidation, or unexpected expenses.
- Cons:
Because your home secures the loan, defaulting on payments can lead to foreclosure. Variable interest rates can also lead to higher payments if rates increase.
