March 2, 202310 Ways You Can Use a Home Equity Loan 

Homeowners often talk about tapping into their home’s equity to solve various financial challenges. But what exactly is home equity? And if you tap into your home’s equity, how can you use those funds?  

What is Home Equity?  

Home equity is the difference between the appraised value of a home and what you currently owe on the house. For example, if your home’s value is $450,000 and you owe $200,000 on a mortgage, your home’s equity will be $250,000.  

However, you may not be able to borrow this entire amount. Other credit factors and lender limits will determine the exact amount you’re able to borrow.  

Ways to Use Your Home’s Equity 

When it comes to how you will use your home’s equity, the sky is the limit. Here are some of the more common ways people put their home equity to work for them.   

1) Home Repairs 

If your home requires repairs, utilizing your home’s equity is a great way to pay for these fixes. You can use your home’s equity for anything, including plumbing issues, a leaky roof, broken windows, or anything in between.  

2) Home Remodels / Upgrades  

Home remodeling requires a lot of money that may not be readily available to you. Whether you’re looking to remodel your kitchen or a bathroom, using the equity in your home to pay for these upgrades is the perfect low-cost solution. Plus, quality home upgrades can help raise the value of your home even more.  

3) Debt Consolidation 

You may also consolidate debt with a home equity loan. If you have significant high-interest debt, utilizing your home’s equity to consolidate these debts can provide a more flexible and lower-cost option.  

4) Higher Education 

Some homeowners use these loans to pay for college tuition, especially since the interest rates are considerably lower than many student loans. Additionally, some equity loans may also have more flexible repayment terms than those offered through student financing.  

5) Events 

Events such as weddings may need a financial boost to meet set budgets. Instead of opening a credit card or obtaining an unsecured loan to pay for these events, it may be a better, less expensive option to utilize your home’s equity.   

6) Vacation 

Whether for a family, couple, or individual vacation, you can use your home’s equity to help pay for your travels.  

7) Business Investment and Growth 

Some business owners use home equity loans to grow their businesses and improve their revenues. In return, the proceeds from the company can also typically be used to pay off part of the loan.  

8) Future Investments 

You can also use your home’s equity to purchase property as an investment strategy. However, before making such a decision, it’s imperative to understand the returns and risks involved in such investments.   

9) Medical Expenses 

The cost of healthcare continues to rise each year. Medical bills, unfortunately, are a common reason people experience financial hardship. Using the equity in your home is one strategy to regain control of these expenses and repay them over a more flexible time period.  

10) Emergency Lifeline 

If the pandemic taught us one thing, it’s that nothing is certain in life. Good paying jobs may abruptly end. A home equity loan, especially a HELOC, provides you with an emergency lifeline. With a HELOC, even if you don’t need the money now, the line of credit is available to you for usually up to ten years. It can provide peace of mind knowing you have access to emergency, low-cost funds available should the need ever arise.  

Important Considerations 

While home equity loans provide a lower-cost option than most other loans, it’s important to remember that your home is used to secure the loan. If you fail to repay the home equity loan, you could be at risk of losing your home. It’s vital to assess the loan’s pros and cons to make sure it makes sense for your unique situation.  

We’re Here to Help 

A home equity loan is a powerful loan that provides larger sums of money affordably. With lower interest rates and longer repayment periods, they can help you overcome financial challenges or build even more value in your home through remodels.  

Before deciding if a home equity loan is right for you, please contact our Home Loan Team. We’ll walk you through the entire process one-on-one and answer all your questions. To get started, please stop by any of our convenient branch locations or call 800-226-6673 today.  

 

Each individual’s financial situation is unique, and readers are encouraged to contact PEFCU when seeking financial advice on the products and services discussed. This article is for educational purposes only; the authors assume no legal responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the contents.