Look for better rates as lenders price to a lower prime rate

The current national average HELOC rate is 7.75%, according to the analytics company Curinos. This week, we should begin seeing home equity line of credit rates inching further down, as the quarter-point drop in the prime rate impacts the rate cards of lenders across the nation.

According to Curinos data, the average weekly HELOC rate is 7.75%. This rate is based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV) of 70%.

Homeowners have a huge amount of value tied up in their houses — more than $34 trillion at the end of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve. That’s the third-largest amount of home equity on record.

With mortgage rates lingering just over 6%, homeowners may not want to let go of their primary mortgage anytime soon, so selling the house may not be an option. Why give up your 5%, 4% — or even 3% mortgage?

Accessing some of the value locked into your house with a use-it-as-you-need-it HELOC can be an excellent alternative.

HELOC interest rates are different from primary mortgage rates. Second mortgage rates are based on an index rate plus a margin. That index is often the prime rate, which has moved down to 7.00%. If a lender added 1% as a margin, the HELOC would have a rate of 8.00%.

Lenders have flexibility with pricing on a second mortgage product, such as a HELOC or home equity loan, so it pays to shop around. Your rate will depend on your credit score, the amount of debt you carry, and the amount of your credit line compared to the value of your home.

And average national HELOC rates can include “introductory” rates that may only last for six months or one year. After that, your interest rate will become adjustable, likely beginning at a substantially higher rate.

You don’t have to give up your low-rate mortgage to access your home’s equity. Keep your primary mortgage and consider a second mortgage, such as a home equity line of credit.

The best HELOC lenders offer low fees, a fixed-rate option, and generous credit lines. A HELOC allows you to easily use your home equity in any way and in any amount you choose, up to your credit line limit. Pull some out; pay it back. Repeat.

Meanwhile, you’re paying down your low-interest-rate primary mortgage like the wealth-building machine you are.

Today, FourLeaf Credit Union is offering a HELOC rate of 5.99% for 12 months on lines up to $500,000. That’s an introductory rate that will convert to a variable rate later. When shopping for lenders, be aware of both rates. And as always, compare fees, repayment terms, and the minimum draw amount. The draw is the amount of money a lender requires you to initially take from your equity.

The power of a HELOC is tapping only what you need and leaving some of your line of credit available for future needs. You don’t pay interest on what you don’t borrow.

Rates vary so much from one lender to the next that it’s hard to pin down a magic number. You may see rates from nearly 6% to as much as 18%. It really depends on your creditworthiness and how diligent a shopper you are.

For homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and a chunk of equity in their house, it’s probably one of the best times to get a HELOC. You don’t give up that great mortgage rate, and you can use the cash drawn from your equity for things like home improvements, repairs, and upgrades. Of course, you can use a HELOC for fun things too, like a vacation — if you have the discipline to pay it off promptly. A vacation is likely not worth taking on long-term debt.

If you withdraw the full $50,000 from a home equity line of credit and pay a 7.50% interest rate, your monthly payment during the 10-year draw period would be about $313. That sounds good, but remember that the rate is usually variable, so it changes periodically, and your payments will increase during the 20-year repayment period. A HELOC essentially becomes a 30-year loan. HELOCs are best if you borrow and repay the balance within a much shorter period.