Debt is the wealth killer. You have heard this piece of advice repeated in a million different corners of financial news. You’ve read articles telling you to get rid of all your debt in order to build wealth and save for the future.
There’s one very notable exception, though, and you’re living in it. Debt secured by your home has low interest rates, and regular payments can do wonders to improve your credit score. In many cases, too, you can get preferential tax treatment to the interest you pay.
Money you owe on your home is often called “good debt” and there are a few ways in which it’s different than other kinds of debt. First, it’s secured. That is, your ability to repay the debt is ensured by the value of the property. Second, its effective interest rate is lower even than advertised. Your home will likely appreciate in value. The value of appreciation of real estate has been 6.4% on average nationwide. So, instead of losing you money, your mortgage just decreases your investment income. Third, creditors take the presence of installment loans, like mortgages, as signs of responsible use of credit, not to mention the consistent repayment history looks very favorable to potential lenders and credit scoring entities.
If you’ve already paid for your house, there are still ways you can reap the benefits of getting this “good debt.” You can use what’s called a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, to pay for a variety of expenses. There are a few key differences between a HELOC and your mortgage.
First, HELOC rates are far more stable. Between 2010 and 2014, home equity loans had an interest rate that fluctuated by more than 2%, while HELOC rates changed by less than .5%. Second, HELOC loans generally offer lower interest rates from the start. Because they’re secured by the equity you already have in your home instead of the possible resale value of your home, lenders need to charge less interest to secure the value of the loan. Third, HELOC loans usually offer a “grace period” of interest-only payments. You can pay a smaller amount each month for as much as several years, depending on the terms of your loan.
Because of these benefits, HELOC loans are on the rise. More than 200,000 people took out HELOC loans in the last quarter, up 9% from last year. More people are borrowing more, too. The average HELOC limit in March was just over $100,000.
Bear in mind, HELOC loans are not risk-free. You’re securing your purchases with your home. If you don’t pay your loans, you can face very serious consequences. You can lose your house, seriously damage your credit, and still be liable for the balance of the loan. Like all debt, HELOC loans are serious financial instruments. You should have a reason for using it and a plan for paying it off.
If you’re interested in getting a HELOC, LA Financial can help. Let’s take a look at a few ways our members are using their HELOC to improve their lives and financial well-being:
– Financing home improvement. This is the most common reason given for using a HELOC. It makes sense. Improvements to your home increase its value, so home improvements are like a low-risk investment. Using the equity that’s in your home to finance these improvements is the cheapest way to increase the value of your holding.
– Debt Consolidation. If you have a lot of “bad” debt, like credit cards, car payments, or other high-interest loans, you can save a lot of money each month by paying off that debt with a HELOC. Your HELOC will have a lower rate of interest and you’ll only have to make one payment each month. Plus, you may be able to take advantage of preferential tax treatment for the interest (consult your tax advisor for details).
– Purchasing a car. Unlike your home, your car is certainly going to depreciate in value. If you buy a used car then resell it immediately, you will almost certainly lose money on that transaction. This depreciation means the interest rates on auto loans will be higher than those on your HELOC. You can also get a lower price overall by buying the car outright, which will allow you to work around financing fees from the dealer.
– Major purchases. For most people, the biggest source of wealth is their home. A home loan is one of the few monthly bills that actually builds wealth instead of zapping it. If you need to make a major purchase, the biggest source of capital you’re likely to have is your house. If you want to start a business, purchase a boat or an RV, or buy rental property, a HELOC is one of the best ways to finance it.
– Covering emergency expenses. Most financial experts recommend keeping an emergency fund that could cover you for between 6 months and 1 year if you lost your job. That’s good advice. If you don’t have the cash on hand, though, you can open a HELOC to cover medical expenses, car repairs, and other unexpected costs. You should still work to build savings that can prevent borrowing in the event of a catastrophe. Opening a HELOC can provide you some security in the mean time.
If you own your home and are considering any of the above plans for your future, you should call or stop by to speak to a representative from LA Financial today. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you might have about what a HELOC is and how you can use one. They can even get started with the paperwork so the credit is there when you need it. Don’t wait until you’ve got a giant bill for remodeling or an expense you can’t cover; speak to a representative about HELOC loans today!
LA Financial Credit Union's Home Equity Line of Credit
A Home Equity Line of Credit allows you to borrow against the equity of your home. You are able to advance against your HELOC up to five years; after your five year draw period has expired your payments will be re-amortized until your balance is paid in full. Rate is subject to adjust quarterly. Use the cash for home improvements, tuition or other major purchases; or use the money to pay off higher interest debts and you may save hundreds of dollars per year. On approved credit, members may borrow up to $250,000.00.
| Rates effective as of July 17, 2014 |
| Loan Type | Term | RATE as low as: | Index | APR* | Monthly Payment per $1,000.00 Borrowed |
| Variable | Draw period 5 Years; repayment period 10 Years | 3.250% | Prime | 3.250% | $12.50 |
| Minimum loan amount $10,000.00; maximum loan amount $250,000.00. Maximum CLTV 80%. Minimum floor rate 3.250%; Maximum cap rate 18.000%. Applicant's rate may be higher and CLTV may be lower depending on credit rating. Rates quoted are for owner occupied transactions secured by a Single Family Residence, LTV 80% and below. We will not subordinate to a negative amortization or interest only loan. Rate is variable, and is based on the Prime Rate Index currently at 3.250% as published in the Wall Street Journal on December 16, 2008 and is subject to change after consummation. Payment is based on 1.25% of the actual balance at the end of each cycle month. |
| Rate is accurate as of July 17, 2014 and is subject to change without notice. Call the Credit Union for current rates. Other conditions and restrictions may apply. |
| Fees: Closing costs include but not limited to appraisal fee, document preparation fee, flood certification fee, recording fee, and title charges, additional fees may apply. Estimated closing costs range from $975.00 - $1,400.00. All Closing costs may be included into the loan or paid out of pocket except for the appraisal fee. Appraisal fee is collected at time of prequalification. $10,000.00 minimum advance at time of closing, minimum draw increments $500.00. |
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