Understanding HELOCs & The Benefits of Accessing Your Home's Equity

Home Equity Lines of Credit

At Ideal Credit Union, we see your home as more than just a place to live—it's a tool for your financial future. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) offers you the opportunity to leverage the value of your home by borrowing against the equity you've built up. This flexible credit line can be used for home improvements, debt consolidation or covering major expenses, offering lower interest rates and potential tax benefits compared to other forms of credit.

What is Home Equity? 

Home equity represents the value of your home that you actually own, calculated as the difference between your home's market value and any outstanding mortgage balance. As you repay your mortgage, your equity increases. Ideal Credit Union is here to help you tap into this valuable asset, giving you the financial flexibility to meet both planned and unexpected needs.

How Does a HELOC Work? 

A HELOC from Ideal Credit Union provides a revolving credit line, much like a credit card, but unlike a credit card, a HELOC is secured. Specifically with a HELOC, it’s your home that is backing the loan. This means you can borrow what you need, when you need it and pay interest only on the amount you use. Our HELOCs come with variable interest rates, which are typically lower than unsecured loans, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious borrowers.

Benefits of Using a HELOC

• Unbeatable Flexibility: A HELOC provides a revolving credit line, allowing you to borrow as needed. This is perfect for ongoing projects or unforeseen expenses, adapting to your financial needs without the hassle and time of applying for new loans.
• Better Rates: Since the loan is secured by your home, you generally benefit from lower interest rates compared to unsecured loans, which can lead to significant savings over time.
• Potential Tax Benefits: HELOCs may offer tax deductions on interest payments, you should consult a tax advisor for further information.

Why Rates on a HELOC Are Lower Than Unsecured Loans

A HELOC offers numerous benefits and the reason for that is because your home is backing the loan, making it a much less risky lending option for the lender than an unsecured line of credit like a credit card. This allows us to offer correspondingly lower interest rates than on unsecured loans, making HELOCs a more cost-effective option for many borrowers. 

But lower rates don’t eliminate the need for financial discipline in using your HELOC. Budgeting is still critical when managing your HELOC, as well as leaving yourself with some financial flexibility to increase your payments if your rates increase. Undisciplined spending and incomplete planning could lead to a larger payment than you have budgeted for and put your home on the line. It's very important to plan your financial future to manage these risks, ensuring that you borrow within your means and understand the terms of your HELOC.

Comparing HELOCs with Other Home Equity Products

When considering leveraging home equity, Ideal Credit Union offers HELOCs and fixed home equity loans. HELOCs provide flexibility with a revolving credit line and typically variable interest rates. In contrast, home equity loans offer a lump sum with fixed interest rates, making them suitable for those with one-time funding needs such as covering a large expense, consolidating debt at a lower rate or financing your home improvement project. Ideal CU has also partnered with RenoFi to provide members with an option to get the most money and lowest monthly payment for your home renovation, allowing you to borrow up to 90% of the after-renovation value of your home to finance your home improvements.

Managing Your HELOC

Effectively managing a HELOC means strategic financial planning. Ideal CU recommends setting a budget for the funds drawn to avoid overleveraging, closely monitoring the interest rates and making payments on time to protect your credit score. Consider making more than minimum payments during the draw period to reduce the principal faster. Additionally, regularly review your repayment schedule and terms to adapt to any changes in your financial situation, ensuring you use your HELOC to your best advantage.

Is a HELOC the Right Choice for You?

Deciding whether a HELOC is right for you depends on your specific financial situation and goals. If you require flexible access to funds with potentially lower interest rates and can safely put up your home as collateral, a HELOC can be an excellent choice. But it’s important to consider your overall flexibility in case the variable rate changes over the life of your loan. We can help you to plan out your financial future and determine whether you would be able to continue making your payments in the event that rates increase. We encourage you to contact us to thoroughly understand all aspects of HELOCs and make an informed decision.

Unlock Your Home's Equity with Ideal CU

At Ideal Credit Union, we're committed to helping you leverage your home's equity to fulfill your dreams, whether it's renovating your home, covering a large expense or consolidating debt. We are here to support you every step of the way. Start living your Ideal life with the financial flexibility that a HELOC from Ideal Credit Union provides.

Explore your Home Equity Loan options with Ideal Credit Union today!