HELOC Pros and Cons

Read Time: 9 minutes

Getting a HELOC, or home equity line of credit, is a major financial decision. You need to decide whether to seek a loan in the first place, and whether a HELOC is the best choice among your options.

Would a standard home equity loan be better? A cash-out refinance? Or maybe just put it all on a credit card?

To help you sort it through, here’s a baker’s dozen of the advantages and disadvantages of taking out a HELOC.

First, the upsides:

1. No closing costs

If your credit is good, you won’t pay any closing costs to set up a HELOC. That means no application fee, and no closing or appraisal costs. You usually have to pay those with a standard home equity.

2. No fees for cash draws

Credit cards often charge a fee for taking a cash advance, and some checking accounts tack on check-writing fees. By contrast, you shouldn’t have to pay a fee to draw funds from a HELOC.

If a lender wants to charge a fee each time you take out money, that’s a good sign to look elsewhere.

3. Low interest rates

HELOCs can offer some of the lowest interest rates around. Because they’re secured by your home equity, their rates tend to be much lower than those on unsecured loans like credit cards or personal loans.

As adjustable-rate loans, they can also give you a lower rate than you can get on a standard fixed-rate home equity loan, though their rate can fluctuate over time. All HELOCs are required by law to have a cap on the maximum the rate can increase over the life of the loan and many will have quarterly limits as well.

4. Converting to a fixed-rate product

Many HELOCs have a provision that allow you to convert your adjustable-rate debt to a fixed-rate loan if you want to lock in a rate. This often happens automatically when you enter the repayment phase of the loan, but many HELOCs also allow you to convert your loan balance to a fixed-rate whenever you wish.

5. Pay it off when you like

You should be able pay off the balance on your HELOC whenever you wish. Talk to a loan officer before you close the mortgage, and be certain that there are no fees for paying off your loan early.

Be aware, though, that some HELOCs will charge a fee if you do not maintain a certain minimum balance or draw a certain minimum of funds per year.

6. Tax advantages

Because it’s a type of mortgage, the interest you pay on a HELOC or a standard home equity loan is tax-deductible for borrowers who itemize. A couple filing jointly can deduct the interest paid on up to $100,000 in home equity debt, while for single filers the maximum is $50,000.

7. You can use it as you wish

Unlike many other types of loans, you don’t have to justify your plans for the money with a HELOC. While most borrowers go into a HELOC with a certain plan for the money, once the line of credit is set up you can use the money as you wish, without having to get any changes approved by your lender.

…and the downsides

While there’s a lot to like about HELOCs, there are potential pitfalls to look out for as well. Most can be avoided with a little planning, but you definitely want to be aware of them going in.

8. The low-payment temptation

A HELOC has a very attractive feature – during the draw, your minimum monthly payment need only cover your interest charges. You could have a $25,000 loan balance and be paying less than $80 a month.

Over the long haul, however, if you make only the minimum payment, you’ll never pay off any principal, and the loan will never go away.

9. Interest rates may rise

Because they’re adjustable-rate loans, HELOCs can start out with very low rates. By contrast, fixed-rate loans are priced higher to account for the possibility that interest rates may rise down the road.

But if interest rates rise down the road, adjustable-rates will follow, meaning you’d end up paying a higher rate than you started out with.

Though rates have been stable in recent years, they can rise fairly quickly if inflation kicks in. If that starts to happen though, most HELOCs will give you the option of converting your loan balance to a fixed-rate loan.

10. Using your home as a piggy bank

A HELOC can be a smart choice if you’re borrowing for home improvements, launch a business or pay for an education. Those types of investments can pay dividends over time.

But don’t merely use your home as a piggy bank for immediate wants. A Hawaiian vacation may buy you some great memories, but your debt will stay with you until the last cent is repaid.

11. Payment shock

This is what can happen when your reach the end of your draw period and have to begin repaying your loan principal, instead of just covering the interest. All of a sudden, your monthly payments jump from a few dollars a month to hundreds.

And it can be made a lot worse if you’ve succumbed to the temptation of gradually borrowing more than you originally planned, and if you haven’t paid attention to the effect of rising interest rates.

Many borrowers will opt to refinance into a new HELOC at the end of their draw period. That allows you to continue making only interest payments, but unless you start paying down your principal as well, you’ll only be deferring the problem.

12. Beware hidden fees

Lenders make their money from the interest and annual fees on a HELOC. They lose money if you cancel or refinance a HELOC before the draw period ends.

Many will therefore charge an early termination fee. Others may charge additional fees if you don’t maintain a minimum loan balance or fail to borrow a certain amount each year.

Before you take out the loan, check for hidden fees and make sure you know just when you can be charged additional fees and how much.

13. Losing home value

Another risk is that your home may decrease in value, eroding the remaining equity that you have. This can particularly be a problem if you were counting on selling the house or refinancing to cover the loan.

In some cases, you could even end up underwater on your home loans, owing more on your mortgage and HELOC combined than your home is worth – a situation that many found themselves in after the 2008 crash.

This is the major reason not to borrow against more than 80 percent of your home’s market value, so you have at least 20 percent equity remaining as a cushion.

Alternatives to a HELOC

If a HELOC is not the right option for you, there are a few alternatives to consider.

A home equity loan, also known as a second mortgage, provides a single lump sum of money you can borrow against the equity you have built up in your home. Unlike a HELOC, you’ll receive a fixed amount of money upfront and repay it in regular installments over a set term.

This is a great option if you have a specific, one-time expense and prefer predictable monthly payments with a fixed interest rate.

A cash-out refinance allows you to use the equity in your home to borrow more than you owe on your current mortgage. The difference between the new loan amount and your old mortgage balance is given to you as a lump sum.

With this option, you’ll have a new mortgage with potentially different terms and interest rates. Consider this alternative if you want to consolidate debts, make significant home improvements, or access a large amount of cash.

Personal loans are a type of unsecured loan that you can use for various purposes, including home improvements, debt consolidation, or other financial needs. Unlike a HELOC or home equity loan, your home does not secure a personal loan, so you don’t need equity in order to qualify.

Personal loans typically have fixed interest rates and repayment terms.

Unsecured lines of credit, such as credit cards, also don’t require collateral like your home. This option can provide you with a financial safety net in the event of a sudden medical bill, car repair or other unexpected expense.

However, unsecured lines of credit will almost always have higher interest rates compared to secured options.

Tips for Responsible HELOC Management

If you are considering a HELOC, it’s important to manage the debt responsibly. Here are some tips to help you do so:

  1. Understand the terms. Familiarize yourself with the specific terms, conditions, and features of your HELOC. Understanding the interest rate structure, draw period, repayment period and any fees or penalties associated with the HELOC will help you plan and budget accordingly.
  2. Borrow within your means. While it may be tempting to utilize your entire credit limit, it’s crucial to evaluate your financial situation and repayment capability beforehand. Avoid using the HELOC for unnecessary or impulsive purchases that may strain your finances in the long run. Borrow only what you need and can comfortably afford to repay.
  3. Have a purpose and a plan. Determine a clear objective for the HELOC, such as home improvements, debt consolidation or education expenses. Create a detailed plan for how you will use the funds and stick to it. This will help ensure that the borrowed funds are utilized effectively and responsibly.
  4. Regularly reassess your needs. Periodically reviewing your financial goals can help you determine whether the HELOC is still the best financial tool for your needs. If your circumstances change or you find that the HELOC is no longer serving its intended purpose, consider exploring other options or adjusting your borrowing strategy.

Considerations and Factors: Is a HELOC a Good or Bad Idea?

A HELOC can be a good idea if used responsibly and for the right purpose. The flexibility of a revolving line of credit provides a convenient way to access funds as needed, making it suitable for ongoing or variable expenses.

A HELOC may offer additional financial benefits as the interest paid on it can be tax-deductable.

However, a HELOC may not be the best option for everyone. An increase in interest rates may result in higher payments, which could potentially strain your budget.

Additionally, borrowing against your home equity means putting your property at risk. Overspending or mismanagement of the credit line can also lead to accumulating excessive debt and financial difficulties.

Ultimately, whether a HELOC is a good or bad idea will depend on your individual circumstances, financial goals and risk tolerance. It’s wise to consult with a financial advisor who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.

They can help you evaluate the pros and cons, explore alternative options, and make an informed decision that aligns with your long-term financial well-being.

Kara Johnson

Kara is a novelist, poet and large-scale sculptor in addition to being a contributing writer for Refi.com. She lives with her family in Rye, New York and is a graduate of Hampshire College.