What is the purpose of a HELOC?

The purpose of a HELOC, or Home Equity Line of Credit, is to provide homeowners the ability to access the equity they have built up in their property. This financial instrument works much like a credit card, allowing homeowners to borrow against their home equity up to a certain limit, withdraw funds as needed, and pay interest only on the amount borrowed. This makes HELOCs a flexible option for funding home renovations, paying for education, or consolidating debt, among other uses.

Home equity is calculated by taking the current market value of the home and subtracting any outstanding mortgage balance. Since the HELOC is secured by the home itself, it typically comes with lower interest rates compared to unsecured loans, making it a desirable choice for many homeowners looking to leverage the value of their property for liquid funds.