Home equity loans.

also typically have fixed rates, meaning your interest rate and payments are the same for the entire loan term. This can make budgeting easier and prevent any payment bottlenecks.

Finally, you can usually get a much larger amount with home equity loans. Most lenders allow.

You to borrow up to 85% to 90% of the value of your home, minus your existing mortgage balance.

So if your home is worth $400,000 and your mortgage balance is $100,000, you can potentially borrow up to $260,000 ($400,000 x .90 – $100,000).

ConsThe biggest downside to home equity loans is that they put your home at risk.”Your home is the collateral for the loan,” says Rupena.

“Using your residence to secure a loan is inherently risky. Sudden life changes, such as a job loss or medical emergency, could jeopardize.

Your ability to repay what you have borrowed. If you If you miss a payment, the lender may be able to take your home.

Home equity loans also come with a second monthly mortgage payment (in addition to your main mortgage), and you’ll only get one upfront amount.

(Whereas with HELOCs, you can withdraw money over time as needed. More on that below.)

What is a home equity line of credit?

A home equity line of credit is another option for borrowing against your home equity. Unlike home equity loans, these work more like credit cards, allowing you to take money out, pay some back, and take out more when you need it.Typically, HELOCs come with a 10-year draw period, when you can withdraw money from the credit line. During this time, you will usually only pay interest on the funds you withdraw.After that, most HELOCs have a repayment term of 20 years. This is when you will start paying both principal and interest to the lender.

In rare cases, you may have to pay off the HELOC balance in full at this point (this is rare, but it’s called a balloon payment).pros.

The major advantage of a HELOC is that you get access to cash over a long period of time. You can take out $10,000 for repairs now,

$20,000 later, pay some back, and borrow more after a few years.Additionally, you’ll only pay interest on.

what you withdraw — not on the full credit line you’ve provided.”You only pay for what you use,”

Says Scott Lieberman, managing editor of Touchdown Money. “Even if you take out a HELOC for $50,000 but only use $20,000, you only owe $20,000.

A final benefit is

A final benefit is that HELOCs often have very low interest rates. However, these usually only last a few years, so make sure you read the fine print before taking one out.

Cons

Like home equity loans, HELOCs also put your home at risk. If you fail to make your payments – which can be challenging with any other type of mortgage – your lender can foreclose on your home.

On top of that, HELOCs usually come with variable rates, meaning your interest rate and monthly payments can increase over time. This can make it harder to stay on top of payments and put your home at higher risk of foreclosure.

that HELOCs

often have very low interest rates. However, these usually only last a few years, so make sure you read the fine print before taking one out.Cons Like home equity loans, HELOCs also put your home at risk. If you fail to make your payments – which can be challenging with any other type of mortgage – your lender can foreclose on your home.On top of that, HELOCs usually come with variable rates, meaning your interest rate and monthly payments can increase over time. This can make it harder to stay on top of payments and put your home at higher risk of foreclosure.

How HELOCs and Home Equity Loans DifferBoth HELOCs and home equity loans let you borrow against your home equity.

But they have some important differences.Home equity loans come with a one-time payment.

while HELOCs allow you to draw down the money over several years. Home equity loans have fixed interest rates and payments.

HELOCs, on the other hand, have rates and payments that can fluctuate.Take a look at the key differences between these products:

Is Home Equity Loan or HELOC Better?

Choosing between a home equity loan and a HELOC can be challenging. To start, think about what you plan to use the money for – and how long you’ll need it.

If you are renovating your home, for example, and will need an unknown amount of cash over an extended period of time, a HELOC may be a better option.

If you want a lower interest rate but can manage payment is most important, then choose a home equity loan.