3 HELOC Benefits Homeowners Should Know

with Inflation Still painful and Money is a concern for many Americans A high priority, some are looking for new ways to make ends meet each month. It can take many forms. personal loan And Credit card Usually used as a backup means of paying bills when others may be lifting An insurance policy or Refinancing their existing debt.

Homeowners with equity in their home have other options to consider. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Allows owners to tap into the existing value of their home without resorting to other, higher-interest options. HELOCs come with several benefits owners should be aware of.

If you think you might benefit from taking out a HELOC, start exploring your options here or use the table below to check your eligibility.

3 HELOC Benefits Homeowners Should Know

Homeowners Considering HELOCs Understand these three main benefits.

It has low interest rates compared to other forms of credit

if you want extra money Make sure not to overpay for that support. Each type of credit offered comes with its own interest rate, some of which can be exorbitant. The average interest rate for a credit card is currently around 20%. For personal loans, it has been around 11%, according to Federal Reserve. A HELOC, meanwhile, is around 7%.

Granted, this rate will usually be reserved for those applicants with an above average Credit score and a clean credit history. But if you have decent credit, you’ll pay much less by tapping into your home equity with a line of credit than if you applied for a personal loan or opened a new credit card.

It can be tax-deductible

Unlike other types of credit, a home equity line of credit can potentially be closed when it comes time to file your taxes. If you’re using your HELOC to pay bills or make large purchases, it probably won’t qualify. But, if you use it for major household repairs or renovations (as many homeowners tend to do), you may be able to include it in your annual return.

“Interest on home equity loans and lines of credit is deductible only when the borrowed funds are used to purchase, construct, or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan.” The IRS Explains “the loan must be secured by the taxpayer’s principal home or second home (qualified residence) and meet other requirements.”

So, if you get a HELOC now, be sure to save all the appropriate paperwork to file when it’s time to file your 2023 return. You can now easily explore your local HELOC options or use the table below to get started

It is flexible

Unlike some other types of credit, where you have to pay interest on the entire amount you borrow (even if you don’t use it entirely), HELOCs only charge interest on what you use. So, if you’re approved for a $50,000 HELOC but only use $20,000, you’ll only be responsible for the interest on the latter amount. This flexibility can be important for borrowers looking to keep their payments as low as possible.

Bottom line

In times of high inflation and market unpredictability, there will be many financial products and services that offer attractive ways to get out of debt and earn extra cash. Homeowners, however, have a unique, low-interest option to pursue: their home. A Home equity line of credit Offers flexible terms and, if used for qualifying purposes, may be tax deductible. It usually offers more favorable interest rates than personal loans or credit cards to applicants with high credit scores.

You can now quickly check your HELOC eligibility and interest rate online.