home equity line of credit

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Access your home equity without refinancing

A home equity line of credit, also called a HELOC, allows homeowners to borrow against available home equity while keeping their current first mortgage in place.

Andes Mortgage can help you compare HELOC options, estimate payments, and decide whether a line of credit or fixed Home Equity Loan makes more sense for your goals.

Compare HELOC, Home Equity Loan, and refinance options with guidance from Andes Mortgage.

HELOC Snapshot

We offer variable and fixed rate HELOCs 

HELOCs available for up to 90% CLTV

Flexible: Use your line of credit whenever you need it.

Competitive Rates

Use for debt payoff, renovations or major expenses

Why homeowners use a HELOC?

keep your current mortgage

Tap into the equity you’ve built without changing your existing mortgage or giving up your current low rate.

Flexible access to funds

Borrow what you need, when you need it. You only pay interest on what you use during the draw period.

Useful for multiple goals

From home improvement and debt consolidation to education or unexpected expenses. 

Multiple draw and repayment periods

We offer different draw periods anywhere between 3 to 10 years and up to 30 years to repay.

A HELOC is a secured loan using your home as collateral. Rates are typically variable and payments can change. 

SEE PAYMENT EXAMPLES

Estimate your HELOC payment

calculate your payment

$
%
Interest-Only Payment
$687/mo
During Draw Period
Principal & Interest Payment
$855/mo
After Draw Period

This calculator is for estimates only. Actual payments may vary.

Current rate environment

HELOC rates are tied to the Prime Rate and can change monthly. Rates shown here reflect market averages.

Prime Rate (As of today)

6.75%

Rates are subject to change. Get your personalized rate for accurate numbers based on your situation. 

EQUITY ACCESS OPTIONS COMPARED

HELOC vs HELOAN vs Cash-Out Refinance

A HELOC is not the only way to access home equity. Depending on your goals, a fixed Home Equity Loan or cash-out refinance may be a better fit. The right option depends on whether you want flexible access to funds, a fixed monthly payment, or one larger lump sum at closing.

Option
Best For
Rate Type
Payment Structure
Keeps Current Mortgage
Access Funds As Needed
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit)
Flexibility, revolving line, on going expenses
Variable
Interest-only during draw period
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
HELOAN (Home Equity Loan)
One time expenses, fixed rate & payments
Fixed
Fixed principal & interest payments
✅ Yes
❌ No
Cash-Out Refinance
Large expenses, debt consolidation
Fixed or Variable
Principal & interest payments
❌ No
❌ No

HELOC Requirements

Requirement
Primary Home
Investment Home
Credit scores
640+
680 Minimum
Loan-to-Value
Up to 90%
Up to 75%
Debt-to-income
50%
None
Cash Reserves
Income Verification

How much equity can you access with a HELOC?

Credit score
Primary home
investment home
740+
90% CLTV
75%
720-739
90% CLTV
75%
700-719
90% CLTV
75%
680-699
660-679
80% LTV
-
70% LTV

Qualifications and rates can vary based on the lender, credit score, home equity, loan amount and property type. The examples below are for illustration purposes only and are not a commitment to lend.

How does a Home Equity Line of Credit work?

A home equity line of credit is a revolving line of credit that allows homeowners to borrow against available home equity. Instead of refinancing your entire mortgage, a HELOC is usually added as a separate loan secured by your home, which may allow you to keep your current first mortgage in place.

There are three important things to understand about HELOCs:

The Draw Period

During the draw period, you may be able to borrow funds as needed up to your approved credit limit. Your minimum monthly payment during the draw period is interest-only. 

At Andes Mortgage, we offer draw periods ranging from 3 years and up to 10 years. After the draw period ends, the loan typically enters a repayment period where the remaining balance is paid back over time.

The Repayment Period

Once the draw period ends, your line of credit enters its repayment period. This is is the period of time that you have to pay off the line of credit in full. We offer repayment periods from 15 years and up to 30 years. During the repayment period, the payment converts to a fully amortized principal and interest payment. 

Variable Rates

Rates for home equity lines of credits are variable based on the prime rate and the lender’s margin. Depending on the Federal Reserve’s rate policy, the prime rate may change and this will affect the payment of your HELOC. Although we offer fixed-rate HELOCs, those rates are typically higher than regular HELOCs. 

🎥 Watch: Best places where you can get a HELOC

Confused because you don’t know if you should get a HELOC from a bank, credit union or mortgage broker? This video breaks down the places you need to consider for a HELOC. 

🎥 Watch: DSCR HELOC Options for Real Estate Investors

Our DSCR HELOC has become one of our hottest HELOC programs designed for real estate investors. No need for income documentation to qualify. We qualify you based on the DSCR of the property.

Compare HELOC rates

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related resources

current HELOC interest rates

Compare interest rates for home equity lines of credit.

bank statement HELOC

Qualify using your bank statements for income.

DSCR HELOC

Home Equity Line of Credit for investment properties. 

refinance calculator

Calculate your house payment with a cash out refinance.

Frequently asked questions

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit secured by your home’s equity. Similar to a credit card, you can borrow funds as needed up to your approved credit limit during the draw period and repay the balance over time.

HELOC rates are typically based on the Prime Rate plus a lender margin. Factors such as your credit score, loan-to-value ratio (LTV), occupancy, loan amount, and overall financial profile can impact the rate you receive.

Most HELOCs have variable interest rates that can change over time as market conditions and the Prime Rate change. 

At Andes Mortgage, we offer both variable and fixed-rate HELOC options. 

At Andes Mortgage, we offer HELOCs with credit scores as 640. However, higher credit scores are preferred as you will receive better rates, terms and more equity access. 

The amount you can borrow depends on your home’s value, current mortgage balance, available equity, and lender guidelines. 

We at Andes Mortgage, we access HELOCs for up to 90% combined loan-to-value (CLTV). 

No. A HELOC is a separate loan that is typically recorded as a second mortgage behind your existing first mortgage. Obtaining a HELOC does not change the interest rate, payment, or terms of your current mortgage.

Both a HELOC and a Home Equity Loan allow you to borrow against your home’s equity, but they work differently.

A HELOC functions like a revolving line of credit. You can draw funds as needed during the draw period and only pay interest on the amount you use. Most HELOCs have variable interest rates.

A Home Equity Loan (HELOAN) provides a lump sum of money upfront and typically comes with a fixed interest rate and fixed monthly payment. 

HELOC funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including home renovations, debt consolidation, education expenses, emergency reserves, business investments, and other major expenses.

A HELOC is a separate line of credit that leaves your existing mortgage intact. A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new loan and provides cash from your home’s equity at closing.

Home equity is the difference between your current home’s value and it’s current liens. The more equity you have, the bigger the line of credit you can generally take. 

Yes. During the draw period, many HELOCs offer interest-only payment options. Once the repayment period begins, borrowers typically make principal and interest payments on the outstanding balance.

HELOC funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including home renovations, debt consolidation, education expenses, emergency reserves, business investments, and other major expenses.

No! You can pay off the balance of your HELOC in full and you will never be penalized or be charged any fees. 

Absolutely! Homeowners who take out a HELOC often pay off high interest revolving debt, personal loans and even auto loans and student loans if the numbers make sense. 

Marcos Zambrano President Andes Mortgage LLC

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