The MarketWatch Guides team scoured the market to find the best home equity loan rates. Our top providers offer minimum APRs between 6.74% to 10.25%.
Best Home Equity Loan Rates of May 2024
Minimum APR*
5.99%
Max LTV
90%
Average Closing Speed
14-42 Days
|
Minimum APR*
7.34%
Max LTV
100%
Average Closing Speed
45 to 55 Days
|
Minimum APR*
6.99% (Introductory Period)
Max LTV
80%
Average Closing Speed
34 Days
|
Minimum APR*
7.65%
Max LTV
80%
Average Closing Speed
Not Disclosed
|
Minimum APR*
Not Disclosed
Max LTV
90%
Average Closing Speed
Not Disclosed
|
*APR accurate as of May 1, 2024.
More Details on the Best Home Equity Loan Rates
We chose these lenders based on interest rates, fees, loan terms and customer service. Keep reading for a breakdown of each choice’s pros, cons and standout offerings.
- Navy Federal: Best credit union loan
- Bethpage: Best HELOC conversion loan
- U.S. Bank: Best for large loans
- Rocket Mortgage: Best for customer satisfaction
- Spring EQ: Best for maximum equity
- Discover: Best for borrowers with little home equity
- TD Bank: Best for rate transparency
- Third Federal: Best for good credit
- Connexus
- America First Credit Union
Understanding Home Equity Loan Rates
A home equity loan rate is the interest rate a lender charges when you borrow money using the equity in your home as collateral.
Your rate impacts the overall cost of borrowing because it determines how much interest you'll have to pay on top of the amount you borrow. A lower rate means you'll pay less overall interest, while a higher rate means you'll pay more.
Lenders determine what rate you qualify for based on factors like your credit score, income and the amount of equity you have in your home. The better your credit score and financial situation, the more likely you are to qualify for a lower rate. Market conditions — like the Federal Reserve's interest rate — can also impact home equity loan rates.
Home Equity Loans vs. HELOCs
Home equity loans and HELOCs both give you access to the equity in your home, but they work differently.
A home equity loan is a lump sum loan you repay over a fixed term, usually with a fixed interest rate. It’s also known as a second mortgage.
A home equity loan can be ideal if you need a large amount of money upfront for a specific expense, like paying off high-interest debt, getting a new roof, buying a boat or covering a surgery bill.
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit you draw upon as needed, up to a certain limit. It works much like a credit card. You only pay interest on the amount you borrow rather than the entire line amount for which you’re approved.
HELOCs can be a good option if you need ongoing access to money, like when you’re renovating a home in stages or are covering other expenses where you’re not sure exactly how much you’ll need.
Choosing the Best Home Equity Loan Rate
So, how do you choose the best home equity loan rate? It boils down to a few key steps. First, decide whether a fixed or variable rate is right for you. Fixed rates are most common with home equity loans. They offer predictable monthly payments that help make it easier to budget.
Some home equity loan lenders may offer variable rates that change over time. Variable rates are typical with HELOCs. If you choose a variable-rate loan, make sure you can afford any potential interest rate increases.
Next, you'll want to understand APR, or annual percentage rate, which includes both the interest rate and any fees associated with the loan. Comparing APRs — rather than just interest rates — can give you a more accurate picture of the overall cost of borrowing.
Comparing rates from multiple lenders is crucial, so don’t rush the process. Taking the time to find the best home equity loan rate can lead to substantial savings.
Say you're looking to borrow $50,000 for a home renovation project. Lender A offers a fixed rate of 6.5% APR, while Lender B offers a fixed rate of 5.5% APR. Over a 10-year repayment period, Lender A's loan would cost you $68,129 in total, while Lender B's loan would cost you $65,116. By choosing the lower rate from Lender B, you'd save over $3,000 in interest charges.
Home Equity Loan Calculator
Most lenders require a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 85% or less to qualify for a home equity loan. Use our calculator to see if you may be eligible to draw on your home equity and how much you might be able to borrow.
LOAN INFORMATION
This is the ratio between how much you still owe on your home and how much it is worth. Generally, you need an LTV of 85% or less to tap into your home equity.
Current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio
50.0%
This is how much we estimate you can borrow. Lender requirements will vary.
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BORROW UP TO
$140,000
Your outstanding mortgage balance exceeds 85% of your home value.
Since most lenders limit the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for home equity loans at 85%, you may not be eligible for a home equity loan at this time.
Lenders typically require a credit score (FICO) of 620 or higher to qualify for a home equity loan or HELOC.
Lenders typically require a credit score (FICO) of 620 or higher to qualify for a home equity loan or HELOC.
You’ll likely need to improve your credit score before you can tap into your home equity. Check out some tips to do so here.
How To Secure the Best Home Equity Loan Rates
Getting favorable home equity loan rates requires some research and preparation — but the savings make it well worth it. First, review your credit reports to ensure they’re accurate and up to date. You can request a free credit report from each of the credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Next, research lenders and compare rates from at least three companies. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Let lenders know you’re shopping around, and ask if they can beat any rates, fees or terms you’ve already been given. Getting prequalified with multiple lenders can give you a better idea of what rates and terms you may be eligible for.
Lastly, improving your credit score can help you access better rates. You can boost your score using these tips:
- Make your loan and credit card payments on time and in full each month; set up automatic payments so you don’t forget.
- Keep your credit utilization ratio low by not using too much of your credit limit.
- Don’t open too many new credit accounts at once.
- Monitor your credit reports every month, and dispute any errors.
Meet with a nonprofit credit counselor to develop a plan to improve your credit.
Common Uses for a Home Equity Loan
MarketWatch Guides asked 1,500 Americans about their experience with home equity loans to determine the most popular uses of these loans. We found that the majority of borrowers used their home equity loans for home improvement, but a substantial percentage used them to consolidate debt. Here’s more about each of the most common uses:
The majority of borrowers use home equity loans to pay for home improvements or renovations. When you use the loan for this purpose, you can often write off the interest you pay on your federal taxes. Baby Boomers are the most likely generation to use home equity for this purpose, with millennials following closely behind.
Debt consolidation means using a new loan to pay off and replace existing accounts, such as credit card debt. Boomers once again were the most likely generation to use home equity for this purpose.
This includes both local moves and out-of-state moves. Gen X was the most likely to use these loans for moving.
Other uses for home equity loans, with small percentages:
- Medical expenses
- Education expenses
- Car financing or repairs
- Vacations
- Weddings
- Everyday bills
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Equity Loan Rates
There are several things you can do to get a better rate on a home equity loan, including boosting your credit score, lowering the amount of debt you have (also known as your debt-to-income ratio) and comparing rates from multiple lenders. Also, having a larger amount of equity in your home can help you qualify for a lower rate.
Yes, you can tap into your home’s equity without refinancing. A home equity loan and a HELOC are two ways to do this. Both are separate loans that allow you to borrow against the equity you’ve built up in your home without changing your primary mortgage.
Home equity loans may be tax deductible, but it depends on the purpose and amount of the loan. According to the IRS, home equity loan interest is deductible if you use the money to buy, build or substantially improve the home that secures the loan. The deduction is limited to the interest paid on loans up to $750,000 ($375,000 if married and filing separately).
The minimum credit score you need varies by lender. Some lenders prefer borrowers to have a FICO score in the mid-600s, while others may prefer scores of 700 and above. The best way to know if you’re eligible for a home equity loan is to get prequalified from multiple lenders. Prequalification tells you what rates you might qualify for without impacting your credit score.
Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someone you trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Home Equity Loans
Our team analyzed the most popular home equity loan companies on the market and put together a comprehensive 100-point scoring system using factors that are most important to you, the consumer.
We then scored several data points, analyzing each home equity loan company’s disclosures, licensing, marketing, sample loan agreements and websites to understand their offerings and terms.
Here is a broad breakdown of the factors we used:
Affordability (35%)
A key factor in whether a personal loan is a good deal or not is how easy it is to pay back. This will include variables such as interest rate, fees and terms.
Loan Features (35%)
Equally important for most home equity loan borrowers are the terms and conditions each lender offers. We look at a wide range of data points in this category, including minimum and maximum loan amounts, maximum loan-to-value ratio and closing time.
Customer Experience (20%)
How easy a company is to work with is also a key consideration for home equity loan borrowers. We look at a wide range of data points in this category that include customer support options, application processes and how widely available these products are.
Company Reputation (10%)
A lender’s reputation is another key factor for personal loan borrowers. We review each company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile along with regulatory actions and investigations that might involve these companies.
Our rating system is designed to help you make the best and most informed decision possible when shopping for a home equity loan. However, the highest-rated lenders on our list may not make the most sense for you. To learn more, you can read our full home equity loan methodology.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.