Getting a Home Equity Loan: What It Is and How It Works - NerdWallet (2024)

A home equity loan is one way to tap into your home's value without having to sell it. As you make mortgage payments on the property and its value appreciates with time, the share of the home that you actually own — your equity — grows. By taking out a home equity loan, you convert that equity back into debt in exchange for cash.

Home equity loans are a popular choice for homeowners who want to take on some kind of home improvement project. You canuse your money however you see fit, but it’s recommended that you reserve it for expenses that help build wealth, like renovationsthat will grow your home’s value.

Since your home is the collateral for an equity loan, failure to repay could put you at risk of foreclosure. If you're considering taking out a home equity loan, here's what you should know.

What is a home equity loan?

A home equity loan allows you to tap into some of your home’s equity for cash, which you receive in the form of a lump-sum payment that you pay back at a fixed interest rate over an agreed period of time. This is typically between five and 20 years, though some lenders offer terms as long as 30 years.

Many lenders will require you to have at least 20% equity in your home, though some will allow you to borrow over 90% of the value of your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, experienced homeowners made an average down payment of 17% last year, making them eligible for a home equity loan with many lenders almost immediately after closing. First-time home buyers may have to choose from a smaller pool of lenders with higher combined loan-to-value — or CLTV — limits, having made an average down payment of 6%.

Steadily paying down your mortgage is one way to grow your home equity. If real estate values have risen in your area since you purchased your home, your equity may be growing even faster.

According to property data provider CoreLogic, homeowners with mortgages across the U.S. saw an increase of nearly 16% in their equity year over year in 2022. This means that even homeowners who made small down payments or who have only owned their home for a few years may already be eligible for a home equity loan.

How does a home equity loan work?

Home equity loans are commonly known as “second liens” or “second mortgages,” and act as just that: They finance a portion of the total value of the home, with the property acting as collateral. This has benefits and drawbacks for you as a homeowner. You’ll likely qualify for a better rate with a home equity loan than you would with a loan that isn’t secured by an asset, but you’re also exposing yourself to risk because the lender can foreclose on your home if you can’t make your payments.

If you’re interested in a home equity loan, the first thing you’ll have to do is figure out how much you need to borrow. Unlike a home equity line of credit — or HELOC — which allows you to draw from a line of credit as needed, home equity loans require you to have a real sense of what your project is going to cost upfront.Once you know how much you’ll need, you’ll want to calculate the value of your equity relative to the value of the home.

Your next step is to shop around for a lender. It’s recommended that you reach out to more than one, so that you can find the best available rate and terms. Our list of the top home equity loan lenders can be a great place to start.

You’ll receive the full amount at closing, and you’ll repay the home equity loan — principal and interest each month — at a fixed rate over a set number of years. Be sure that you can afford this second mortgage payment in addition to your current mortgage, as well as your other monthly expenses.

What can I use a home equity loan for?

A home equity loan is best used for a repair, renovation or project that will add to the value of the home. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Housing Survey report shows that the average project (or series of projects) financed by a home equity loan cost $11,240. The report also shows that the kitchen tends to be the most expensive room to renovate, with homeowners spending a median amount of $35,000.

Homeowners can use a home equity loan for anything they like, but it’s wise to avoid using equity to finance purchases like vacations, which won’t add to wealth and can’t be recouped.

Home equity loan rates in 2023

Most home equity loan rates are indexed to an industry base rate called the prime rate. This represents the lowest credit rate lenders are able to offer their most attractive borrowers, though most lenders will add a margin to calculate their final rate offer. For example, if a lender applies a margin of 1.45% to a prime rate of 7.75%, that borrower’s home equity loan rate will be 9.20%.

This margin varies among lenders, so it’s in your best interest to shop around for quotes. No matter which lender you choose, borrowers with higher credit scores and lower debt-to-income ratios are more likely to qualify for the best rates.

Ways to get the best home equity loan rates

When you’re shopping for a home equity loan, it’s smart to make sure your financials are in as good a shape as possible. This means pulling your credit reports from the three main credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — and addressing any errors you find. You might also pay down any larger balances, which has the added benefit of improving your debt-to-income ratio. This could also improve the rates you’re offered.

Once you’re feeling confident about your application, compare mortgage rates between at least three home equity loan lenders. Even small differences in the rate you pay could add up over your loan term. You may also want to consider other funding methods, including home equity lines of credit, cash-out refinances or personal loans, which may offer lower rates or terms that work better for you.

How much can you borrow with a home equity loan?

A home equity loan generally allows you to borrow around 80% to 85% of your home’s value, minus what you owe on your mortgage. Some lenders allow you to borrow significantly more — even as much as 100% in some instances.

Say your home is worth $350,000, your mortgage balance is $200,000 and your lender will allow you to borrow up to 85% of your home’s value. Multiply your home's value ($350,000) by the percentage you can borrow (85% or .85). That gives you a maximum of $297,500 in value that could be borrowed. Subtract the amount remaining on your mortgage ($200,000), and you'll get the approximate maximum sum you can borrow as a home equity loan — in this case, $97,500.

Home equity loan requirements

Qualification requirements for home equity loans will vary by lender, but here's an idea of what you'll likely need to get approved:

In order to confirm your home's fair market value, your lender may also require an appraisal to determine how much you're eligible to borrow.

Are home equity loans a good idea?

Whether a home equity loan is a good idea or not depends on your financial situation and what you plan to do with the money. Using your home as collateral carries substantial risk, so it's worth the time to weigh the pros and cons of a home equity loan.

Pros:

Cons:

Should I choose a home equity loan, HELOC, or cash-out refinance?

Unlike the single lump sum of a home equity loan, a HELOC provides flexibility. There's still a total loan amount, but you only borrow what you need, then pay it off and borrow again. That also means you pay back a HELOC incrementally based on the amount you use rather than on the entire amount of the loan, like a credit card.

The other key difference is that HELOCs often have adjustable rates. Your rate could rise or fall over the life of the loan, making your payments less predictable. HELOC rates are sometimes discounted at the beginning of the loan. But after an introductory phase of around six to 12 months, the interest rate typically goes up. If you’re enticed by the predictable payments of a home equity loan but would prefer the flexible balance of a HELOC, consider exploring lenders that offer HELOCs with a fixed-rate option.

A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a brand new, larger loan, allowing you to spend the difference. This means that you’ll have a new interest rate on your primary mortgage, which won’t be ideal if rates have risen since you initially bought your home. You’ll also have to pay closing costs.