Qualifying for a 2nd mortgage or credit line can be easy if you meet the guidelines for today’s home equity programs. Home ownership is a dream that millions of Americans have, and once that you own a home you’ll find that there are plenty of other steps you’ll need to take throughout the years to keep it in top shape – not to mention deal with the various issues that can sometimes be thrown at you by life in general. From time to time, you might consider securing a new loan based on your home equity. These home equity loans and HELOC lines are worth pursuing since they can provide you with a source of cash when you need it.
However, knowing the basic credit requirements for home equity programs is important before you even apply. Knowing what to expect in terms of requirements will help you plan ahead and know whether or not its’ even worth attempting. In most cases, these requirements will surprise you and you might find that getting a good loan is easier than you assumed.
Learn More About Home Equity Lending Guidelines for Credit Lines and Installment Loans in 2024
Here’s a look at some of what you need to know about the basic requirements.
Minimum credit scores will vary since other factors apply, but most lenders will require a FICO score of between 680 and 700 in order to qualify for any home equity loan or a line of home equity credit.
Some home equity lenders may be slightly more lenient depending on your borrowing amount. For example, you might be able to borrow up to 90% of the loan to value amount with just a score of 640 or better. And for some, it might be possible to borrow up to 80% of the loan to value amount with a score of 580 to 600. If you have a fico score below 600, ask about the possibility of a home equity loan with bad credit.
Loan to value refers to the amount of equity in your home based on the amount you owe on your current loan compared to its value. For instance, if you owe 150,000 on your home and it’s worth 200,000, your equity will be 50,000. You could borrow up to 80% of that if your credit score is around 580 to 600 using the numbers above.
Minimum credit scores are just one part of the process. You’ll often have to show things like your current debt amounts, your income, and more. A lot of different things go into determining qualifications for a loan, but the amount of equity your home has will help you out tremendously. In other words, if you have a lot of equity, your chances are much better of securing a solid loan despite having a slightly lower credit limit. No two loans are identical, of course, and talking to a pro is a good idea.
Whether you need emergency money, want to do some home remodels, or want to consolidate other debt into a more manageable payment, a good home equity loan or a home equity credit-line could help. Take a closer look at your options and you should be able to find the one that fits your situation the best. It might be easier to qualify for those loans than you originally assumed, and as such it’s even more important that you pay attention to current lending trends. Ask about the lending criteria for home equity investments.
What is the borrowing limit on Home Equity Loans?
The amount your lender is willing to lend you based on your home’s equity is determined by several factors:
- The appraised value of your home.
- Your current loan-to-value (LTV) and potential combined loan-to-value (CLTV).
- The outstanding balance on your mortgage.
- Your credit score and debt-to-income ratio.
Before you apply for a home equity loan or HELOC, it’s essential to understand the home equity requirements. You need to be aware of your existing loan-to-value limit (LTV), representing the equity accumulated in your property. This is calculated by dividing the loan balance by the appraised value of your home.
Occasionally, your home lender might impose a minimum or maximum loan amount. The most common minimum cash out home equity loan amount is $20,000, but some local banks and credit unions will approve HELOC amounts as low as $10,000. The maximum home equity loan amount ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 depending upon the bank or home equity lender. It’s crucial to conduct a thorough comparison of HELOC rates and loan estimates from various lenders to identify the loan amount and terms that align most favorably with your financial situation.