A home equity loan is best if you prefer fixed monthly payments and know exactly how much money you need for a financial goal or home improvement project. On the other hand, a HELOC is a better fit for financial needs spread over time, or if you want flexible access to your equity that you can pay off quickly.
Interest rates have been at or near all-time lows for several years now, and home equity lines of credit let you take advantage of that fact. HELOCs can have lower interest rates and lower initial costs than credit card, which makes them attractive for debt consolidation or ongoing purchases.
Your credit score is one of the key factors lenders consider when deciding if you qualify for a home equity loan or HELOC. A FICO® Score☉ of at least 680 is typically required to qualify for a home equity loan or HELOC.
5 Ways a Home-Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Can Hurt You
It's not a good idea to use a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to fund a vacation, buy a car, pay off credit card debt, pay for college, or invest in real estate. If you fail to make payments on a home equity line of credit (HELOC), you could lose your house to foreclosure.
A home equity loan might be a better option if you want to borrow a large portion of your home's value, or if you can't find a lower rate when refinancing. The monthly payments may be higher if you choose a shorter-term loan, but that also means you'll pay less interest overall.
Pros and Cons of HELOCs
A HELOC is a home equity line of credit. ... Because it has a minimum monthly payment and a limit, a HELOC can directly affect your credit score since it looks like a credit card to credit agencies. It's important to manage the amount of credit you have since a HELOC typically has a much larger balance than a credit card.
At any time, you can pay off any remaining balance owed against your HELOC. ... If you pay off your HELOC balance early, your lender may offer you the choice to close the line of credit or keep it open for future borrowing. Why you should close a HELOC. Sometimes, a lender will charge annual fees for open lines of credit.
You'll need at least a 620 credit score to get a home equity loan, but your lender may have a higher minimum, such as 660 or 680. To get your best rates, shoot for a credit score of 740 or higher, but know that it's possible to qualify for a home equity loan with bad credit.
If you don't have a job, it might be hard to get a home equity loan or HELOC — you might not meet the lender's income requirements. However, you might be able to qualify for a home equity loan if you have other sources of income.
Fortunately for these borrowers, 500 credit score home loans are available, from the right low credit mortgage lenders. The same applies for borrowers looking for a home equity loan with a credit score under 600. 500 credit score mortgage lenders are typically hard money lenders.
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