Q: With interest rates falling and home prices rising, it seems like a great time to tap into my home’s equity using a home equity line of credit loan. What’s the best way to use these funds?
A: A home equity line of credit loan, or a HELOC, can be a fantastic way to source extra funds during a falling-rates environment. Tapping into your home’s equity, or the positive difference between what is owed on a home and its current value, will give you the funds you need for a large expense with no additional strings attached.
With interest rates on a Lincoln SDA Credit Union Home Equity Line of Credit Loan as low as 3.5% APR*, the repayment plan is always affordable. If approved, you’ll have access to funds within a few days. Draw you line of credit up front or as you need it over the next two years. You only pay interest on the balance you have used. There are no restrictions on how to use these funds, but since you’re essentially risking the loss of your home with this loan, it’s important to choose wisely when deciding how to use the funds.
Here are four forward-thinking uses for a home equity line of credit loan:
1. Home improvements
One of the most popular uses for home equity is for home renovations and improvements. These can be as major as adding a 1,000-square-foot extension to your home, as minor as replacing old carpet with new hardwood flooring or anything in between.
Using your home’s equity for home improvement projects is a smart choice for multiple reasons. For one, the money you put into the renovations acts as an investment. If you choose improvements that increase your home’s value, you can make back the money you spent or even see a return when you sell your home. Also, if you use the funds from a home equity line of credit loan to increase your home’s value, you may be able to
deduct the interest paid on the loan from your taxes (be sure to consult with your tax adviser if you plan to go this route).
If you plan to use your home equity funds for home improvements, be sure to choose wisely. It’s best to go for improvements that add lasting value to your home instead of blowing big bucks on superficial remodeling projects that may look dated just a few years down the line.
2. Debt consolidation
Another popular use for a home equity line of credit loan is to consolidate high-interest debt. Paying off multiple debts at high interest rates can be cumbersome and difficult to manage. Worse, the heavy interest rates mean more of the borrower’s money goes toward the lender and less goes toward paying down the principal of the debts. Using a home equity line of credit loan to consolidate debt to a single and no-interest or low-interest loan can slash a pile of debt by several thousands of dollars and help shorten repayment time by several years.
3. College education
When interest rates are falling, funding a college education through a home equity line of credit loan instead of a high-interest student loan can be a smart choice. Similarly, homeowners struggling to meet their student debt payments without defaulting on the loan might want to use their home’s equity to pay off the debt quickly and replace it with a more manageable low-interest loan. It’s important to note that paying off a federal student loan with home equity might not be the best choice, as these loans are sometimes eligible for partial or complete forgiveness.
4. Emergency fund
Most of us know that financial experts recommend having three to six months’ worth of living expenses stashed in an emergency fund to be used if the need arises. But reality keeps this magical-sounding fund a distant dream for too many people. If you’ve been struggling to get your own emergency fund off the ground, tapping into your home’s equity can be a great way to get that boost you need. You’ll have a large stash of cash to build your fund, and the manageable payment plan will help ensure you put money into savings each month. As a bonus, if you experience a financial emergency of any kind after taking out your home equity line of credit loan, you’ll already have the funds on hand to help pull you through.
Before you take out a home equity line of credit loan
A home equity line of credit loan can provide homeowners with the funds they need for a home improvement project, to get their debt under control, pay for their college education or to build an emergency fund. However, before making either of these moves, it’s important to run the numbers so you are sure you can easily meet the regular loan payments. Otherwise, you risk defaulting on the loan and losing your home.
If you’re ready to take out a home equity line of credit loan, look no further than Lincoln SDA Credit Union. Our rates and terms are always competitive. Give us a call at 402-489-8886 or stop by Lincoln SDA Credit Union to get started on your loan application today.
* APR = Annual Percentage Rate and is valid as of 09/01/2020.
Your Turn: How did you use the funds from your home equity line of credit loan? Tell us about it in the comments. 
