Hello friends how are you all? Today we are going to talk about When To Borrow From Your Home Equity? Home is one of the most significant assets that people have. One of the key benefits of owning a home is the ability to build equity and borrow against it. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are two loan products secured by home equity. 
Home equity is your stake in your home. In other words, it’s the portion you have paid off as opposed to what you owe mortgage lenders. Equity grows as your home value increases and as you pay the outstanding mortgage and loan balances.
Borrowing a home equity loan could help you attain your financial goals. But when is the right time to tap into your home equity? This article takes a look at when to borrow from your home equity, how to get a home equity loan, and helps choose between a home equity loan and HELOC and the requirements to qualify.
When To Borrow From Your Home Equity 2023 Best Info
Equity is an asset that homeowners possess. In other words, it’s the portion of your home that you own. An increase in home values has resulted in many people considering converting their home equity to cash.
You can borrow a home equity loan to meet your financial obligations or pay for significant expenses. Here are a few situations that warrant tapping into your home equity:
Home Improvements
You can tap into your home equity when you need money for renovations to improve your home’s value. Besides increasing your home value, renovations make your home more comfortable and enjoyable.
Home renovations are the top reason for getting a home equity loan or home equity lines of credit, which can result in better long-term investments. You may also take advantage of your improved property value to borrow other types of loans.
However, keep your home improvement cost within your budget so that it may increase your home’s value.
Financing Your Education
Another great reason for tapping into your home’s equity is financing education since the interest rates may be lower than student loans. If you are considering taking a home equity loan or a HELOC to fund your education or that of your children, calculate the monthly payments and determine if you can repay the debt.
Home equity can be a good option for paying college expenses when the interest rate is lower than student loans.
Debt Consolidation
If you have outstanding interest loans, you can consider consolidating them with a lower interest rate loan. You can use a home equity loan or HELOC to pay off credit card loans, car loans, and other personal debts with high interest.
Using home equity for debt consolidation will help you take care of your monthly expenses and save money every month by paying a loan with a lower interest rate.
It’s important to note that turning unsecured loans into a secured debt backed by your home equity could cause you to lose your house if you default on the loan.
Emergency Expenses
Although experts advise that one should have an emergency fund to cover at least three months living expenses in case of job loss or illness, it’s not a reality for many people. As such, many people take a home equity loan or HELOC to cover emergency expenses.
However, using home equity to cover your expenses or stay afloat can lead you into serious financial debt if you don’t have a backup plan to repay it. Even though you know you can use your home equity to access a loan in case of an emergency, you should contribute to an emergency fund. Remember accessing home equity loans may not be reliable for time-sensitive emergency expenses.
How To Get A Home Equity Loan
Now that you know when to tap into your home equity, it’s vital to understand how to get a home equity loan.
Here are a few steps to get started on a home equity loan:
1. Determine The Amount You Need
Before applying for a home equity loan, determine your required amount. Also, find out the interest rate and borrow what you can afford to pay. Try to be as accurate as you can with cost estimates. You may consider hiring experts to help you develop the correct estimates to minimize long-term interest.
Also, find out how much you can borrow from your equity. You will need to know your home’s current market value and outstanding mortgage. Most lenders allow you to borrow up to 90% of your home’s value minus the current loan balance.
2. Research Lenders And Know Their Requirements
There are many lenders in the market to choose from. Before you settle for one, know the terms, fees, requirements, and minimum or maximum loan amounts they have.
3. Apply For The Home Equity Loan
The application process for home equity loans is the same as that of a first mortgage loan. You will need to fill out your lender’s application form, submit the required financial documentation and agree to a credit check.
4. Get Home Appraisal
The value of your home is a key determinant of how much equity you have and how much you can borrow. Lenders will request an appraisal of your house after submitting a loan application.
5. Close On The Loan
In this stage, you will sign loan paperwork, pay the necessary fees and finalize your loan. Once you close the loan, there is a three-day waiting period in case you change your mind, and then you receive the cash.
How To Choose Between Home Equity And A HELOC
Both HELOC and home equity allow you to use your home equity to borrow a loan. A home equity loan allows you to take out a loan against the home equity and receive huge payments in return. You will repay the loan monthly, mainly within five to 30 years.
On the other hand, a HELOC lets you borrow from your home equity, only that they pay out like credits instead of receiving a bulk payment. You can withdraw as much as you require up to the credit limit and within the draw period. One of the benefits of a HELOC is that it allows flexibility to draw the money as needed.
Both home equity loans and HELOC have their set of pros and cons, so before settling for one, consider how each option suits your lifestyle and budget.
Regardless of which loan you choose, both types have the same requirements, which include the following:
- Good credit
- Sufficient income
- Low debt-to-income ratio
- A minimum equity percentage
- Reliable payment history
Should you consider a home equity loan or a HELOC? Taking out either loan can be a wise decision after you understand when to borrow from your equity and the requirements for getting a home equity loan. Since your home secures the loan, you should borrow what you can afford to pay to avoid losing your house if you default on the payment.
