A HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, typically at a lower interest rate compared to other types of debt, such as credit cards or personal loans.
If needed, you can use a HELOC to pay off high-interest debt or fund home renovations. Lenders typically allow you to borrow up to 85% of your home's value minus any outstanding mortgage balance. Once your HELOC is set up, draw funds as needed to pay off your higher-interest debts.
For example: Suppose you have $20,000 in credit card debt at an 18% interest rate. If you have $50,000 in home equity, you might get a HELOC with a 9% interest rate. By using the HELOC to pay off the credit card debt, you reduce your interest payments significantly, making it easier to pay down the principal.
HELOCs aren't for everyone, though. If it doesn't sound like the right choice for you, there are other options available, including Home Equity Agreements, debt help, incredible credit card welcome offers, and more. Take a look at the list below and find the solution that's right for you:
Borrow from your home’s equity (even with a lower credit score)
You could get a good amount of money in your pocket from your home equity. You just need to know where and how to get it.
If your credit score is between 580 to 679, a company called New American Funding could help.
More and more homeowners are getting HELOCs due to how effective they can be. But even with a lower credit score, New American Funding helps you find home equity options to get you out of crippling debt or fund home improvements. All without affecting your mortgage.
If you need money now, it couldn’t be easier to see what you qualify for. Just go to New American Funding, answer a few questions, and check out their personalized options for you.
Ask this company to pay off high interest credit card debt (not everyone is eligible)
You could get out of $30,000 or more in debt and it could be easier than you think.
This program can help you pay off your credit card debt for possibly less than you owe. You’d be shocked by the difference. Say you owe around $30,000 in debt. You might just feel stuck with it. That’s just what you owe, and you have to pay it all, right? Wrong.
When you join this program you could cut as much as $10,000 off your debt and be debt-free in 48 months.
In fact over 550,000 Americans have resolved $11.5 billion in debt through this BBB A+ rated program since 2009.
If you’re ready to get out of debt for good, take a few minutes to see if you’re eligible.
You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:
- You owe $30,000 or more in debt
- You have a job or source of income
- You understand your credit will take a temporary hit in the process but are ready to be debt free
See if you're eligible for this debt relief program
You’ll hardly believe you waited so long to do something like this. Seriously, just check it out.
Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt
If you’re drowning in high interest credit card debt and don’t have a way out — but you own a home in Ohio and have decent equity built up — this is a godsend. You could tap into up to $400,000 to pay off your credit card debt, all without affecting your mortgage rate.
Rocket Mortgage is actively helping homeowners use their home’s equity to wipe out toxic high interest debt. Their tool finds your lowest eligible rate and gets you the money you need so you can use it immediately. No hidden fees. No long waits. No hassle.
Slash your high interest burden without giving up your current mortgage rate.
You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:
- You’ve owned your home for 2+ years.
- You’ve built some equity.
- Your credit score is 680 or higher.
Ohio Driver? Cancel your car insurance
Driving without car insurance is illegal, but if you do this, you’re not actually breaking the law.
This tool can help you see if you’re overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks. You’d be shocked by the difference. $159 per month is what they wanted to charge me. I thought that was the best price, don’t even look anywhere else. Right? Wrong.
I used this tool and now I’m able to pay just $47 a month for two cars.1 <p>Actual savings and coverage options vary based on factors such as driving history, location, and insurer policies. The rates shown in this example may not reflect what every user will qualify for.</p> Too many insurance companies do this. They push up our rates and make us pay even more. But if you want to try this tool and compare and potentially score same-day savings, here’s what to do:
- Click the link below and enter your zip code, date of birth, and phone number.
- Answer a few questions about your car’s make and model to get matched with top offers.
- Choose the best quote for you and lock it in before rates go up.
Compare rates now and see if you could score same-day savings today!
I can hardly believe I waited so long to do this, but I’m glad I finally did. It only took me two minutes. Super fast. You have to trust me on this. Just try it out.
Transfer your credit card balance and pay no interest for 21 months from date of account opening (yes, it is kind of remarkable)
Imagine getting rid of your credit card and high-interest payments. Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with one of the industry-leading low-interest cards — the Citi Simplicity® Card - and pay no interest until 2027 on balance transfers!
If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer high-interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR for 21 months from date of account opening on balance transfers (APR then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable); balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!
The best part? The Citi Simplicity® Card boasts no late fees and has no annual fee.
Click here to apply now for the Citi Simplicity® Card(Rates and fees)
Access your home equity to cover debt — no payment or interest charges for 10 years
Struggling with debt? If you want to utilize your home equity to help pay it down, you’re probably frustrated right now. The strict qualifications of the traditional financial system have left many unable to.
But there’s another option you may not have heard of, a home equity agreement (HEA) from Unlock.
With Unlock, you could tap into up to $500,000 of your home equity and make no payments for ten years. It’s not a home equity loan, HELOC, cash-out refinance, or reverse mortgage.
An Unlock HEA is not a loan at all. Instead, it gives you cash in exchange for a portion of your home’s future value:
- Access up to $500,000 of your home’s equity.
- No payments or interest charges for ten years.
- Not subject to traditional interest rates.
- Minimum credit score: 500+.
You can verify your property value and equity in 60 seconds — and with no impact on your credit score: Start by entering your property address here.
And don’t worry — Unlock has an A+ rating from the BBB. So see what you’re eligible for, and you could have the funds you need to end your toxic debt loop sooner than you think.
Stop going into debt over expensive home repairs when this exists
Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. Choice Home Warranty makes it so you might be able to save $100s in home repairs!
They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down from routine wear and tear.
Think of it like this: Say your air conditioning unit breaks down during a heatwave. Instead of paying $1,500 for repairs, you may only need to pay a $100 service fee with Choice Home Warranty, and their techs come and fix it ASAP. This could save you $1,400 almost instantly!
Choose a plan here and you can still lock in their ultra-low 2024 rates (for a limited time). Then, whenever a covered system in your home breaks down, all you have to do is make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.2 <p>CHW reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of CHW's actual cost (which at times may be less than retail) to repair or replace any covered system, component or appliance. In the event that CHW makes such payment, CHW will provide written notification of the basis for the amount of the payment. First Month Free with purchase of any single payment home warranty plan. The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.</p>
Choose a plan from Choice Home Warranty here and lock in 2024 rates
P.S. Use the links above and you’ll get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long this will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.
Ask this company to help you reduce your tax debt (consultation is 100% free)
Past-due tax debt is overwhelming.
It weighs on your mind and causes massive anxiety. You end up emotionally and physically drained. Even worse when the IRS starts sending letters threatening wage garnishment and huge fines.
Alleviate Tax is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could reduce some of the debt you owe.
While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Alleviate Tax talks to the IRS directly. They can help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe.
Important: Not everyone will qualify. To take advantage of this special program you must owe more than $10,000 in past-due taxes.
Pay NO closing costs and in most cases no appraisal fees for HELOCs under $250K
HELOCs are rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after ways to get extra cash. Homeowners are getting out of debt, funding renovations, and paying off bills by tapping the value of their home — all without touching their mortgage rate.
Alliant Credit Union is one of the top companies we’ve found for HELOCs. While some HELOC companies will charge hefty fees, you’ll pay no closing costs and in most cases no appraisal fees for HELOCs under $250K with Alliant. That’s huge if you’re trying to get out of debt.
Alliant is able to offer more competitive terms through promotional introductory rates.3 <p>Special offers are subject to change. Alliant Credit Union may discontinue Introductory Rate Home Equity Line of Credit offers without notice, regardless of originally advertised offer period dates. All new accounts and loans are subject to approval. All loans are subject to Alliant Credit Union lending policies. Under certain circumstances—for example, if we cannot verify your income, or if any accounts are past due, over limit or if other underwriting criteria are not met—we may not be able to open a loan account for you, in which case you will be notified. Responding to this offer is not a guarantee of approval. Alliant Credit Union does not sell member information. See our Privacy Policy for details.</p> <p>Interest-only Home Equity Line of Credit. Home equity products are available in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, UT, VA, WA, WI and Washington, D.C. The minimum loan amount is $10,000. The minimum loan amount is $25,001 in WI and Washington, D.C. Offer subject to credit approval, which includes verification of application information and receipt of collateral documents. Rates and closing costs are subject to credit qualifications. Maximum loan to value of up to 85% depending on state in which the property is located and credit worthiness. The following states are limited to a maximum of 80% CLTV: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IN, MI, MO, NC, NV, TN, UT. Initial rate is based on loan amount, loan to value and credit history. We may not extend credit to you if you do not meet Alliant criteria. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a variable rate. Your qualifying rate may adjust monthly and is based on the highest Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal as of the date of any rate adjustment plus or minus a margin. The APR range is from 7.75% to a maximum of 16.00%. Loans without automatic payment selection from an Alliant Credit Union account are subject to an increase in rate and margin of 0.25%. No closing costs (excluding applicant ordered appraisals) based on Interest-only Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) loans up to $250,000 and meeting Alliant criteria. A fee of $1,000 is applied to Interest-only HELOC loans more than $250,000. Minimum payment will not repay principal, which will result in a higher principal and interest payment at the end of the 10-year draw period. Costs to satisfy certain prior liens may be assessed. The Annual Fee of $50 will be waived the first year but will be assessed in subsequent years. You will incur the annual fee even if you don't have a balance. Property insurance is required. Flood insurance may be required. We will require a full appraisal, at applicant's expense, in the event your property is in a FEMA-deemed natural disaster area. If the state and/or county in which the collateral is located charges additional fees and taxes, the borrower will be responsible for payment. A $200 termination fee may be applied to an Interest-only HELOC cancelled or closed by the borrower within 36 months of origination. Refinancing of Alliant home equity products available; $250 fee on loans that do not increase the credit limit by $10,000 or more. Rates, terms, and conditions subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. Interest-only HELOC loans available on 1-to-2-unit owner occupied dwellings. Please consult with an Alliant Loan Consultant at 800-328-1935 ext. 2570 for more information on an Alliant Interest-only Home Equity Line of Credit.</p> You can even enjoy interest-only payments during the draw period.
Find out how much you can get:Go to Alliant Credit Union, where anyone can join, and simply apply for a HELOC. It’s so simple. And worth it to avoid all the crazy fees. Plus, as an Equal Housing Opportunity lender, Alliant is committed to fair and accessible lending for all qualified homeowners.
See how much money you could get with a HELOC from Alliant Credit Union
Slash your monthly payment on $20k+ debt
Many people with $20k+ in debt don’t know that there’s a way to potentially reduce the amount you owe and possibly save hundreds each month. If you have credit card debt, paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.
We researched 15+ companies that could help. If you owe less than $100,000 in credit card debt, we can match you with companies that could help you pay off your debt almost instantly.
You don’t need a perfect credit score, and checking your options here won't affect your credit.
Stop getting ripped off by credit card companies
If you have credit card debt, you know that paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.
But … credit card companies couldn’t care LESS if you pay or not. They’ll make money off you either way. And with an average APR close to 25%, the credit card companies just keep getting richer and richer.
If that’s you, a company called AmOne wants to help. If you owe less than $100,000 in credit card debt, AmOne can match you with loan providers that could help you pay off your debt almost instantly.
Think about it this way: $25,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $518.83 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.40% APR (possible through AmOne), you’d only pay $94.69 interest.
That’s over $400 a month you’d get to keep for yourself! Even better, you don’t need a perfect credit score, and checking for loans won’t affect your credit.
Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have an Excellent rating on Trustpilot from over 2,000 verified reviews, and you can see your options in a matter of minutes. It’s certainly worth a shot if you’re feeling suffocated by debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Home equity is the difference between the value of a home and the amount of money still outstanding on the mortgage. In other words, it’s essentially the portion of the home that is owed outright. This value can be expressed as a percentage or dollar amount. For example, a home valued at $400,000 with $100,000 remaining in mortgage payments has $300,000 or 75% worth of equity.
Some lenders may require a full appraisal to determine a home's value. However, automated valuation models, which consider local property values and recent home sales, are more common.
Home equity is one of the greatest financial benefits of owning a home. You can tap into the equity you built for multiple reasons, including:
- Debt consolidation: Pay off multiple other types of debt with your home equity loan or line of credit to keep your debt organized and potentially get a low interest rate.
- Home renovations: Use your home equity to help pay for important home renovations and improvements, which can in turn increase your home value.
- Medical bills and emergencies: Cover costly medical bills or other unexpected expenses by tapping into your home equity.
- Large purchases: Use your home equity to cover large expenses involved with weddings, buying a new car, or moving houses.
The most common way to access your home equity is a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC). There are a few other products as well, so let’s quickly break them down.
Home equity loan
A home equity loan is a type of second mortgage that’s granted based on the equity you currently have in your home. You’ll be limited to borrowing up to 85% of that equity value, with other factors such as your credit score and debt-to-income ratio also impacting the final loan amount.
You’ll receive your loan in one lump sum and will make monthly payments, typically at a fixed interest rate.
Pros
- Consistent monthly payments at a fixed interest rate.
- Relatively lower interest rates compared to personal loans or credit cards.
- Typically have repayment periods, spanning up to 30 years.
- If you use your loan for home improvements or repairs, your home equity loan interest payments may be tax-deductible.
Cons
- Your home is collateral, so if you don’t repay the loan, you could face foreclosure.
- You typically need at least 20% equity in your home to qualify for a home equity loan.
- You’ll need to pay closing costs, with are often around 1% of the total loan.
- It can take a month or longer to access your loan funds.
HELOC
Unlike a home equity loan, HELOCs work more like a credit card — as a revolving line of credit (with an approved credit limit) that you repay based on what you spend. Although some home equity loans have fixed interest rates, most HELOCs will have variable ones — meaning you might pay more or less interest on your borrowed amounts over the life of the loan.
HELOCs are split into two periods: the draw period and the repayment period. During the draw period, you can access funds anytime you need them. Typically, you’ll only need to pay interest on borrowed amounts during this time. Once you enter the repayment period, you can no longer borrow cash, and you’ll need to make regular payments on both the principal and interest.
The value of your HELOC likely won’t exceed 85% of your home’s equity, and approval will depend on your overall creditworthiness.
Pros
- Only need to repay what you borrowed (similar to a credit card) and not the full approved amount.
- Flexibility of accessing funds when you need it, sometimes in the form of debit cards, checks, ATM withdrawals, or online transfers.
- Ability to access funds up to 10 years (the draw period) before entering the repayment period (typically 20 years).
- Making regular payments could help boost your credit score.
Cons
- Rates are often variable, so even if rates are low when you take out a HELOC, they could be higher when it comes time to repay.
- Because you can access funds at any time and aren’t on a strict payment schedule during the draw period, it can be easy to run up a high balance.
- You could have to pay additional fees, such as an early cancellation fee, an inactivity fee, or a withdrawal fee.
- A HELOC borrows against your home equity, which can deplete your net worth and limit additional opportunities to borrow funds.
Home equity agreement (HEA)
A home equity agreement is a contract between a homeowner and an investment company that allows the homeowner to access funds from their home equity without taking out a loan. In exchange for a percentage of future equity, the homeowner receives a lump sum of cash.
The benefit of this agreement is that you don’t have to make monthly payments or account for accruing interest. Instead, you’ll need to repay the investor the principal plus the agreed-upon percentage of the home’s appreciation within a certain time period (typically between 10 and 30 years). If you sell your home within that timeframe, the investor will instead receive a portion of the home sale.
Pros
- Access to a lump sum of cash quickly.
- No monthly payments and no interest accrual.
- Typically lower credit scores are accepted compared to home equity loans or HELOCs.
- The lump sum payment is usually not taxable as income.
Cons
- You are giving up some of the profit (equity) when it comes time to sell your home.
- Repayments aren’t monthly, so you’ll owe a large sum by the end of the term.
- If you aren’t able to pay what you owe, you may be forced to sell your home.
- Your home’s value may skyrocket, increasing the amount owed at repayment.
Home equity investment (HEI)
Similar to a HEA, a home equity investment allows you to access cash from your home equity without a loan. The key difference between a HEA and a HEI comes down to the repayment process. While a HEA repayment is based on the home’s future total value, a HEI is based on the future change in value.
In other words, if your home value increases significantly when it comes time to pay off your HEI, you could be looking to pay quite a bit more than you originally received. Some HEI lenders offer a protection cap, establishing the maximum amount you need to repay regardless of home value increase. Conversely, if your home value decreases, some HEI lenders will share in the loss.
Pros
- Most HEI companies do not take debt-to-income into consideration for approval.
- One lump sum with no restrictions on how you can use the funds.
- No monthly payments and a long repayment term, up to 30 years.
- Secondary properties may qualify for a HEI as well.
Cons
- Will need to repay the investment either when you sell the home or with a cash-out refinance.
- Restrictions on location and property types that can qualify for a HEI.
- Since the cost is tied to the value of your home, you won’t know exactly how much you’ll need to repay.
- Risk of foreclosure if you are unable to repay your HEI.
When it comes to a home equity loan or HELOC, lenders can use different formulas to calculate how much you can borrow. The various factors taken into consideration include your creditworthiness, existing debt, your perceived ability to repay the loan, the appraised value of your home, and the loan-to-value ratio (LTV).
In general, the higher the amount of equity you have in your home, the bigger the loan amount you could receive.
With HEAs and HEIs, the current value of your home and your available equity are two large considerations. Since these companies benefit from an increase in your home’s value, some may apply a reduction to the appraised value to adjust for risks.