{"id":23681,"date":"2021-01-25T18:01:46","date_gmt":"2021-01-25T18:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/?page_id=23681"},"modified":"2025-06-06T00:56:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T07:56:41","slug":"what-to-know-before-taking-out-applying-for-home-equity-loan-line-of-credit-heloc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/blog\/loans-mortgages\/what-to-know-before-taking-out-applying-for-home-equity-loan-line-of-credit-heloc","title":{"rendered":"What to Know Before Using a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#e7dff3″ custom_padding=”0px||90px|||” bottom_divider_style=”ramp2″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_2_font_size=”30px” custom_padding=”||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

What to Know Before Using a Home Equity Line of Credit or Loan<\/h1>\n

by Kelly Gabriel<\/em><\/p>\n

Equity is the difference between what you own<\/em> and what you owe<\/em> on your home\u2019s value. Two common ways to borrow money from your home equity are a\u00a0home equity loan<\/a> and home equity line of credit<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(HELOC). With Canadian interest rates still low and property values stable or on the rise, borrowing money from the equity in your home can be an attractive financing choice for debt consolidation<\/a>, renovations, starting a business, or helping family.<\/p>\n

Home equity loans and HELOCs are favoured by financial institutions because if you\u2019re unable to repay what you borrowed, they have your property as security. Consumers especially like credit lines because they can draw money from them anytime at a much lower interest rate than credit cards. Minimum payments on a HELOC are also low and as someone pays down what they owe, funds become available again to them up to a set limit. The favourable line of credit interest rates, coupled with revolving access to credit and the freedom to draw large amounts at will, have made HELOCs a popular way to borrow.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”||120px|||” bottom_divider_style=”curve2″ bottom_divider_color=”#E4F8E0″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_id=”get-cell-phone” module_class=”custom_row” _builder_version=”4.16″ width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”vertical-align second-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_direction=”left” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”24px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Is a HELOC or Home Equity Loan Right for Me?<\/h2>\n

A line of credit or one-time equity loan can be used for anything from home renovations to big ticket purchases. How much you spend and what you spend it on are entirely up to you. As such, having a home equity credit line can be a terrific financial tool if you\u2019re disciplined and diligently stick to a payment plan. However, for a lot of people, having a line of credit can be a means of getting \u2013 and staying \u2013 in debt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before you take out a home equity credit line (HELOC) or loan, here are some things to keep in mind to figure out if it\u2019s right for you:\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”first-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”2%” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto;” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/home-equity-line-of-credit_2colm-1.jpg” alt=”Home Equity Line Of Credit” title_text=”home-equity-line-of-credit_2colm” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.22.0″ max_height=”500px” max_height_tablet=”600px” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin_tablet=”||-35px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-45px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”off|200px|20px|200px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#e4f8e0″ custom_padding=”||125px|||” bottom_divider_style=”curve2″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_2_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Mortgage, Home Equity Loan, and Home Equity Line of Credit
What’s the Difference?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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HELOCs, home equity loans, and mortgages all use your home as security for the debt. All 3 can also be used to\u00a0consolidate debt. But that\u2019s where the similarities end.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What’s a Mortgage?” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_level=”h3″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” open=”on”]<\/p>\n

A\u00a0mortgage<\/strong>\u00a0is a loan specifically to buy real estate. The mortgage uses the real estate as collateral for the loan, meaning that if the borrower doesn\u2019t repay the loan, the lender has the legal right to seize the property. Like any loan, interest is charged on top of the principal, and each mortgage payment normally combines repaying the principal plus its interest.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What’s a Home Equity Loan?” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

A\u00a0home equity loan<\/strong>, also known as a second mortgage, allows homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their home. The loan comes as a one-time lump sum and how you use it is up to you. For example, it can pay for home renovations, medical bills, or college tuition. Like a mortgage, your home is collateral for the loan, and it will be repaid over a set amount of time. The interest rate can be fixed or variable depending on how your lender structures the loan and what you agree to.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What’s a Home Equity Credit Line or Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)?” open=”off” _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Like a home equity loan, a\u00a0home equity line of credit<\/strong>\u00a0(HELOC<\/strong>) is a loan that uses the equity in your home as collateral. However, this loan takes the form of a revolving line of credit instead of a lump sum. This kind of\u00a0credit line<\/strong>\u00a0offers greater flexibility because you have access to a pool of funds, and again, how you use it is up to you. It could help you for emergencies,\u00a0debt consolidation<\/a>, a home improvement project, or even day-to-day spending.<\/p>\n

Payments toward your line of credit are flexible as well. Depending on your loan agreement, you can pay as little as just the interest on a HELOC, meaning that you don\u2019t have a deadline on paying back what you actually borrowed. Lines of credit also come with variable interest rates that are much lower than the interest rates on credit cards.<\/p>\n

Credit lines are like credit cards in that you only pay interest and make payments on what you use. For example, if you\u2019re approved for a $25,000 HELOC but only borrow $5,000, then you\u2019ll only need to pay interest on that $5,000.[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#e7dff3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”||120px|||” bottom_divider_style=”ramp2″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

How Revolving Lines of Credit Work<\/h2>\n

Both credit cards and lines of credit are excellent examples of revolving credit, where you can borrow money up to a certain pre-approved limit, and each time you make a payment, as long as your account remains in good standing, you\u2019ll have the credit available to you again.<\/p>\n

For example, if you spend $20,000 of your $40,000 line of credit, you have $20,000 of available credit remaining. If you then make a $10,000 payment, your available credit goes back up to $30,000 (minus interest each time, of course). That means you have $30,000 available to spend on home repairs, new furniture, or even to\u00a0pay off high interest credit card debt<\/a>.\u00a0Like credit cards, a home equity line of credit can tempt you to spend money you don\u2019t actually have.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_level=”h3″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Revolving Credit Can Lead to Serious Debt Problems” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” open=”on”]<\/p>\n

Serious debt problems and financial trouble can result from living a credit-dependent lifestyle. With revolving credit, there are no fixed monthly payments and only a minimum payment is required. Without a fixed payment, it\u2019s easy to lose track of what you owe or wait too long to pay off the debt.<\/p>\n

The problem can be much worse if the line of credit only requires interest payments. If you get into the habit of only repaying the interest, you could put yourself into more debt than you realize. No matter how low line of credit interest rates are, you don\u2019t want to keep paying them forever.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Decide If Your Purchase Is a Need or Want Before You Pay for Something With a Home Equity Line of Credit” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

Before using your home equity line of credit to make a purchase, ask yourself if you can make the same purchase with cash. If it\u2019s something you can easily pay for with the money in your chequing account, it\u2019s best to do that. A HELOC is not meant to pay for everyday expenses.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s a big-ticket expense that you need credit to buy, figure out if you really need<\/strong> to make the purchase and how quickly you can pay it off, keeping in mind that interest rates can change.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019ll take you years to pay off that purchase, give yourself a few days to mull it over. You may find that after a few days and a careful look at your household budget, you\u2019ll realize that you don\u2019t really need or even want it anymore.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How to Deal With Debt From Revolving Credit Lines or Low Interest Loans” open=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

There are a few ways to avoid getting into trouble with revolving credit and living a credit-dependent lifestyle:<\/p>\n