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1. It Has A Lower Interest Rate

A home equity line of credit, even though it is a second mortgage, has an interest rate that it just a little higher than prime rate. This means that it is much lower than a credit card, lower than a personal loan, and may be lower than just about any other kind of loan – except for a first mortgage.

2. Only Pay For What You Use

This kind of loan has another great benefit – while you do pay interest like on any other loan, you are only paying interest on the amount you actually use. This means, that if you are given a draw period of 10 years, and you have only used half of the designated money after five years, that you have saved yourself a lot of money – even though a much larger amount is still at your disposal.

With a regular loan, even with a home equity loan, you will be paying a set amount of interest – whether you use all of the money or not. You have money available for projects if you need it – and if not, why should you pay interest on what you do not need, or use? This kind of loan works especially great if you have several projects in mind, but do not know what the total cost will be – or if you may want to add another project somewhere down the road.

3. Lower Monthly Payments

During the draw period on a home equity line of credit, you will be making low payments each month. This is because you will be paying on the interest only – and interest only on the amount that you have actually used. So, during the draw period, which could be up to about 11 years, you will enjoy very low payments.

You need to be aware, however, that at the end of the draw period, one of two things will happen. You will either need to make a balloon payment for the full amount, which will probably require refinancing, or your fully amortizing payments will become much higher than they were – since your new payments will now include the principal, too.

4. Few Closing Costs

One more reason why a home equity line of credit makes more sense than other loans is because it will have fewer closing costs and other fees. Some lenders charge very few, if any fees, when you take out a HELOC. This means a saving of possibly a couple thousand dollars, depending on how big the loan is.

Before you sign any HELOC agreement, though, be sure that you find out exactly what the margin is on it. This will be a rate of interest that is added to the overall APR, and you usually will not be told about it – unless you ask. Also, get several quotes for your home equity line of credit, look them over, and choose the best one for your needs.

To simplify things, a home equity line of credit may be compared to using a credit card where you would have an upper spending limit against which you can draw as necessary. However, the primary difference is that the credit the borrower uses in home equity lines of credit is secured by the equity in their home. Also, since the debt is secured by the home, the borrower can also claim the interest they pay as a tax deduction, depending upon the tax law where they live and their certain situation.

A home equity line of credit can be used to pay off large expenses such as medical bills, college tuition, etc. This is because the home is often the largest asset and one does not want to put it on the line for minor expenses.

In a home equity line of credit, a person is entitled to receive a fixed amount of credit that is defined as a credit limit. Most lenders set the credit limit by taking a percentage of the home’s appraised value minus the balance to be paid on the existing mortgage.

In order to determine the actual credit limit, the lender will also take into consideration ones ability to repay the credit by assessing their income, financial obligations, debts and credit history.

There is a set period of time in home equity lines of credit in which one may borrow money, for instance 15 years. They may be permitted to use the credit line up to the end of the grace period set by the lender. The home owner can only borrow more money if their plan allows renewals.

Once approved for a home equity line of credit, they will be able to borrow up to their credit limit. Generally, special checks can be used to draw money. A credit card can also be used. There are some requirements as to how people do this. For instance, one may not be allowed to borrow less that $300 at any one time and the borrower may also have to maintain a minimum outstanding balance. In other plans, the borrower may also need to have an initial advance once the line is set up.

When looking for a home equity line of credit, try to find one that suits a specific situation the best. The borrower must read the credit agreement carefully and analyze the terms and conditions of various plans, including the APR, or the Annual Percentage Rate, and the cost of creating the plan. Once a comparison of these aspects from among various lenders has been completed, then the borrower can choose the type of plan and lender that is best.

While home equity loans are more like the traditional mortgages, in which you get the loan amount as a lump sum and you then repay the interest as installments over a set stretch of time. Home equity loans work on the principles of fixed rates and fixed payments.

On the other hand, home equity lines of credit work more like credit cards. This form of loan allows you to borrow an amount up to a certain limit. As you keep on paying off certain portions of your debts, it opens up more credit limit for you. These loans however, work on the principle of variable interest rates.

Though home equity line of credit works on similar principles to the credit card, there are still some differences between these two forms of credit. Credit cards come with the typical open ended feature. But this is not the case with the home equity credit line. There is a specified time frame, usually about ten years, during which you are allowed to draw any amount within your credit limit. During this period you are required to pay back the interest amount only. On completion of the drawing period, you can no longer make any further withdrawals from the credit account. The drawing period is then followed by the payment period, which is the time you have to start paying off the principal as well as the rest of the interests. Certain financial institutions may renew the draw period, but that only adds to your burden seeing that sooner or later you have to eventually pay off the principal.

Once you obtain a home equity line of credit, you will be able to borrow within your credit limit whenever the need arises. You have to use special checks to draw on your home equity credit line. There are also certain financial institutions and some credit plans that allow the borrower to use a credit card to draw cash on their credit line.

There are certain limitations with regard to how you make use of the home equity credit line. There are some plans where you are required to take out a minimum initial amount when the credit line is initially activated. Some plans may also fix a minimum amount that you have to draw each time you are withdrawing from the credit line.

First Advantage – Get The Money As You Need It

With any other kind of loan, you will get a lump sum. Your interest rates and payments are set. There are no options. With a HELOC, however, you are given a line of credit and a credit card or checking account that gives you access to the funds. You do not have to use all of it, if you don’t want to. This is especially good if you know that you need some money, but really are not sure just how much.

This kind of flexibility is great, because you are given a draw period in which you can get more money when you need it. This draw period can be up to 11 years. The truth is, who knows what kind of funds you may need in the next 11 years, or so? This gives you access to sufficient money as you need it and for projects – as they come up.

Second Advantage – Pay Interest Only On Money Used

A home equity line of credit only charges you interest on the money that is drawn out of the account. You are not being charged for money that is sitting idle – as it might with other types of loans. With those loans, you are paying interest on the full amount – whether you are using the money or not.

Third Advantage – Lower Interest Rate

The interest on a home equity loan is usually lower than other types of second mortgages. Usually it is just about two percent above the prime rate.

Fourth Advantage – Possibly No Closing Costs

Most HELOC’s have no closing costs! This certainly makes it the loan of choice, and it can save you a lot of money by not having these charges added to the loan. Some lenders will charge you closing costs, so this should be a good incentive to find one that does not. It will result in considerable savings at closing time.

Fifth Advantage – Tax Deductible

The interest that you are charged each year in a HELOC is tax deductible. Ultimately, this brings the actual interest rate down lower and means an even greater savings.

Some lenders may even use a home equity line of credit on top of an 80% first mortgage in order to eliminate the Private Mortgage Insurance. The way it is done is to get the first mortgage, pay your downpayment, and then get the HELOC for the balance. Make sure you also have enough for the closing costs at settlement, too.

A home equity line of credit can come with a number of other fees and charges. Some will charge a monthly fee or an annual one (or both), and others may charge you if you let the money sit too long without using it. These charges can be avoided if you shop around for the best deal. A HELOC is an adjustable rate loan with few caps (if any) in place. Some of these will come with guarantees of convertibility to a fixed rate loan if the interest rates get too high. Also, be sure to look for any penalties that you may incur if you pay the loan off early.