Home Equity Loan

The rapid increase in property values over that last decade has left many homeowners with a glut of equity. But with personal debt rising and the popularity of home improvements increasing, many homeowners find themselves sitting on a pot of gold they're unsure how to access.

What is a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan is a type of second mortgage that provides you with an initial lump sum payout at the time of the mortgage closing. The value of that payout will be equivalent to the amount of positive equity you have stored up in your home. So if you purchased your home for $200,000 but it's now worth $250,000, you could obtain a home equity loan that would give you $50,000 cash up front.

It's common for people to confuse home equity loans with home equity lines of credit. But there's a key difference: with a home equity loan you get a single payout and then have to pay back the value over the lifetime of the loan, which is typically 15, 20 or 30 years. You can continuously borrow against a home equity line of credit. In both cases, the interest you pay is often tax-deductible, although as tax laws change often you should confirm this with a tax professional.

Home equity loans are offered by many lenders, and are perfect for people who have stable incomes and financial discipline, but who need some cash immediately. What you do with the cash you get from a home equity loan is up to you. But it's important to remember you will be expected to pay the loan back over the coming years.

Getting the Best Deal

Getting a home equity loan is usually easy, although it's best to consult multiple lenders before settling on a deal. With America's Lending Partners' free, no obligation service, you can get up to four home equity loan offers, and then choose the one that's best for you. Or you can speak with one of ALP's experienced mortgage planners, and find out how a home equity loan affects your long term mortgage goals.