You can use a HELOC for just about anything, including paying off all or part of your remaining mortgage balance. Once you get approved for a HELOC, you could pay off your mortgage and then make payments to your HELOC rather than your mortgage.
Lower Interest Rate: HELOCs can have a lower interest rate than the rate you're currently paying on your mortgage, so using the HELOC to reduce your mortgage principal amount will save you money on interest over the long term. Flexible Spending: You can use the funds in your HELOC for any purpose.
Calculating the monthly cost for a $50,000 loan at an interest rate of 8.75%, which is the average rate for a 10-year fixed home equity loan as of September 25, 2023, the monthly payment would be $626.63. And because the rate is fixed, this monthly payment would stay the same throughout the life of the loan.
While you may incur a penalty for early repayment or termination of a HELOC, in some cases it can still make sense to eliminate this debt ahead of time. Pay less interest: The repayment period for HELOCs often stretches over 10 to 20 years and you will be paying interest on the debt during that term.
While having an unused HELOC can be advantageous in many ways, it's essential to be aware of the potential costs. Some HELOCs come with annual fees or maintenance fees, which you might still have to pay even if you don't use the credit line. The fees you could incur, even with an unused HELOC, include: Inactivity fees.
If your HELOC has a variable interest rate, and that rate increases while you're still paying back what you borrowed, your monthly payment could be higher than what you can afford. If this happens, you should contact your lender.
Example 2: 20-year fixed-rate home equity loan at 8.85%
So, for a 20-year, $100,000 home equity loan, you could expect a slightly higher rate than on a 10-year term. In this case, let's say you qualified for an 8.85% rate. This would result in a monthly payment of $890 — much lower than the payment on a 10-year term.
Is 3.5% a good HELOC rate? In today's market, 3.5% would be an uncommonly good HELOC rate. Since 3.5% would currently fall below the Federal Funds Rate, lenders couldn't offer this rate on any home loan without losing money.
"I am of the belief rates for HELOCs will fall in 2024, as well as interest rates in general," says Mark Charnet, founder and CEO of American Prosperity Group. "This means the varying rate of a HELOC will benefit mortgagers as the rates fall." The Federal Reserve adjusts interest rates in response to economic activity.
Key Takeaways
In a true financial emergency, a HELOC can be a source of lower-interest cash compared to other sources, such as credit cards and personal loans. It's not a good idea to use a HELOC to fund a vacation, buy a car, pay off credit card debt, pay for college, or invest in real estate.
A HELOC stands for a home equity line of credit, and if you decide to take one out to access funds, it could directly affect your credit score. Additionally, taking out a HELOC requires a lender to run a hard inquiry—this can temporarily decrease your credit score by a few points.
HELOC applications require a hard credit pull, which does temporarily lower your credit score. Closing a HELOC and carrying a big debt balance could lower your credit score. Using HELOC funds to pay off other, higher-interest debt can improve your credit score. Timely HELOC payments help build a strong credit history.
Once the draw period is over, the HELOC will transition to the repayment period. At this point, you can't borrow against the line of credit anymore, and you'll start paying back what you borrowed. You'll make monthly payments that include both principal and interest, over a set term, often as long as 20 years.
To qualify for a HELOC, you must have equity in your home and maintain a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. You will also need a good credit score and proof of income. The amount you can borrow with a HELOC depends on the value of your home and the amount of equity you have built up.
Current home equity loan rates
“Like most consumer loan products, interest rates for home equity lines of credit and home equity loans are trending upward,” says Zeenat Sidi, president of digital products and services at loanDepot. “Some economists predict a 2% increase on equity rates by the beginning of 2023.”
Don't worry, we've all bought stuff we don't need. But financing unnecessary consumer goods, such as luxury electronics or a new car, with a HELOC generally is not recommended. These items often depreciate in value over time, and using a long-term loan like a HELOC for short-term enjoyment can lead to long-term debt.
The bottom line. The timing behind financial considerations is a personal one but, for many homeowners, now can still be a good time to take advantage of their existing home equity. Home equity loans and HELOCs still currently have lower interest rates than many popular credit options.
The HELOC end of draw period is when you enter the repayment phase of your line of credit. You are now required to begin paying back the principal balance in addition to paying interest.
Even one or two extra mortgage payments a year can help you make a much larger dent in your mortgage debt. This not only means you'll get rid of your mortgage faster; it also means you'll get rid of your mortgage more cheaply. A shorter loan = fewer payments = fewer interest fees.
What income is required for a 200k mortgage? To be approved for a $200,000 mortgage with a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent, you will need an approximate income of $62,000 annually.
As far as the simple math goes, a $200,000 home loan at a 7% interest rate on a 30-year term will give you a $1,330.60 monthly payment. That $200K monthly mortgage payment includes the principal and interest.