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Which Home Equity Option is Best for You?

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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Want to tap into your home’s equity but aren’t sure whether a loan or line of credit is best for you? A home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) allows you to utilize the equity you’ve accumulated over time for your own personal goals. LendingTree can help you choose the best option when taking out your home equity. By answering a few quick questions, you could be matched with up to 5 lenders to help you start tapping into your home’s equity.

Easy, right? Read more below about the difference between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

Should I Utilize My Home Equity Right Now?

With home prices skyrocketing across the United States, now is the time to tap into your home’s equity for various reasons. If you’re looking for an opportunity to refinance any type of loan, now is probably not the ideal time, given that ongoing Fed rate hikes making refinancing more expensive. However, utilizing your home equity may help you accomplish the same goals as refinancing.

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So what is the difference?

Home Equity Loan

  1. A home equity loan is like taking on a separate mortgage, coming from a one time loan that will be paid back to the lender through monthly payments.
  2. Home equity loans have many uses, including:
    • Large home improvements/renovations
    • Paying off debt
    • Paying for college
    • Buying a rental property
    • Starting/Expanding a Business
  3. Similar to a mortgage, the interest that you pay on a home equity loan relates to the state of the federal rate at the time of establishing the loan.
Additional Details
  • 620 minimum credit score
  • Only allowed to borrow 80% of home equity value
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Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

  1. A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, works more like a credit card.
  2. Uses for home equity line of credit include:
    • Ongoing home improvement projects
    • Filling income gaps
    • Tuition payments
  3. Similar to a mortgage, the interest that you pay on a home equity loan relates to the state of the federal rate at the time of establishing the loan.
Additional Details
  • 620 minimum credit score with at least 15% equity in your home
  • Percentage allowed to borrow is flexible and varies per lender
Whether you know which home equity option you’d like to go with, or you still need help deciding, LendingTree will help you find the best way to borrow from your home equity.
See Home Equity Offers Now

If you do not qualify for either of these options, there are additional opportunities available, including cash out refinancing, reverse mortgages, and personal loans.

Accommodating to specific reasons for tapping into HE

See below for additional information about how a home equity loan or HELOC could be beneficial for specific reasons:

  • Home Renovation/Improvement
  • Debt Consolidation
  • Tuition Payments
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Home Renovation/Improvement

Adding on a large addition or taking on a major renovation? A Home Equity Loan may be the best option for you if you’re planning on completing this project within a shorter period of time, but would like to pay off the expenses over time.

Completing smaller projects over a longer period of time? A Home Equity Line of Credit may be the best option for you, allowing you to keep the HELOC open as you complete different projects over a multi-year period. You’ll only pay interest as you take cash out, and you can pay back the money you take out over time.

Debt Consolidation

Wanting a more flexible payment option? A Home Equity Line of Credit can help you make payments towards debt consolidation when you are able, providing more flexibility than a Home Equity Loan.

Wanting a lower interest rate or monthly payment? A home equity loan may be the right option for you, as interest rates are usually lower than credit card rates, and you may be able to make smaller monthly payments over a longer period of time.

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Tuition Payments

Making annual or semesterly payments? With a home equity line of credit, you’ll have the flexibility to utilize your home’s equity whenever you need to make payments.

Paying off other higher education expenses? If you’re paying off remaining expenses for a master’s degree or other advanced degree, a home equity loan may be the best option in order to split these expenses into monthly payments.