Using a Home Equity Line of Credit to Reduce Debt

A home equity line of credit is a loan that is taken against the equity in your home. In practice, however, it operates more like a credit card than a mortgage. The collateral on the loan is your house and, depending upon where you live, local lending laws will regulate how much you can borrow.

The interest charged on a HELOC is usually equal to the prime rate plus an additional amount charged by the lender. The better your credit rating, the more attractive the interest rate generally will be. Therefore, it pays to shop around and find the best deal in town. At MortgageLoan.com, we can help you connect to a lender who can help you meet your specific needs.

Home Equity Line of Credit vs. Credit Cards

How is a home equity line of credit different from a card line of credit? First, you're borrowing against the equity in your house. Whereas your credit card limit might top-out after you spend a few thousand dollars, a HELOC might be worth almost as much as your house. If, for example, your home equity line of credit is $150,000, you can borrow that amount and use it for whatever you want.

Your HELOC will have an adjustable rate, and the rate is normally calculated based on the going rate at the time you withdraw funds. You decide when you want to use the HELOC, and then access your credit line by writing a check or using a special debit card.

Debt Consolidation through a HELOC

One of the most popular uses of a home equity credit line is to consolidate high-interest credit card balances, and pay them off before the penalties, interest payments, and annual fees become an unwieldy burden. Many homeowners go into debt while paying for necessities, like furniture, landscaping, and appliances. Soon, they have maxed-out their credit cards, and the outrageous interest rates charged by credit card companies accelerates until the debt is out of control. By using a HELOC, it's possible to pay off all credit cards, and replace them with a single, easy-to-manage loan. And the HELOC can be paid off gradually, over a long period of time.

Check around for the best rates. A home equity line of credit can free you from debt, and help you improve your credit rating at the same time.