Have you been thinking about a HELOC, aka a home equity line of credit? With favorable 30-year refinance rates and California home loans offering many options for refinancing or using the equity in your home, you’ve got a lot of choices to meet your financial goals. Many people choose a HELOC to pay off high-interest credit card debt, or other personal loans. This is just one use of a HELOC that can meet your financial needs.
Why choose a HELOC instead of a refinance or traditional second mortgage?
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is different from a home equity loan or a home mortgage refinance. With a home equity line of credit, you have credit available for your use as needed. Once you use the credit, whether for home remodeling and improvements or other needs, like college tuition or a down payment on a vacation home, you’ll pay the funds you use back with interest. You can pay the amount back that you use from your HELOC in different amounts: your HELOC will have a variable and adjustable interest rate, similar to an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).
If you want a line of credit with interest rates that are usually much lower than unsecured credit cards, a HELOC offers access to funds that you can borrow, use, and repay on a flexible schedule. Most people choose a HELOC because it offers flexibility and availability, along with lower, yet adjustable, interest rates.
Is the interest on a HELOC tax-deductible?
If you use your HELOC to improve your home or make home repairs, yes it may be tax-deductible (you need to check with a licensed CPA or tax attorney for your specific situation). If you use the HELOC for other purposes, it probably won’t be deductible. You should consult a tax advisor before using a HELOC to determine what you can and cannot legally deduct from your taxes.
What financial situations aren’t right for a HELOC and which ones are?
A home equity line of credit is secured by the equity in your home. It’s a form of a second mortgage. If you’re struggling to pay your bills, a HELOC isn’t a smart financial choice.
If you’re financially stable and want financial flexibility and low-interest access to credit, a HELOC can be a wise financial choice. One of the best reasons to work with an experienced independent mortgage broker and a home loan professional is their ability to compare different HELOC lenders and their terms and conditions and advise you on your options. Also typically your monthly payments are a lot lower on HELOC-used funds since the only payments required are typically interest-only payments. You can use a HELOC to remodel your home, make improvements, or use the money flexibly to meet your other personal financial, business, and family goals.
Sources
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/heloc-home-equity-line-of-credit/
Using terms from a home mortgage and loan refinance categories
additional source added by FK
https://www.schwab.com/resource-center/insights/content/is-interest-on-heloc-still-tax-deductible
