Turn Your Home Equity Into Cash — Without Touching Your Low Mortgage Rate
Whether you're looking to consolidate debt, fund a project, invest in your future, or access cash without refinancing your current mortgage — we'll help you find the equity solution that fits.
Let's Get Started
Answer a few quick questions and discover which home equity options may fit your goals.
Step 1 of 3
Turn Your Home Equity Into Cash — Without Touching Your Low Mortgage Rate
Compare real home equity loan and HELOC offers from trusted lenders. Keep the mortgage you have. Just borrow against the equity you've built.
- Keep your existing low mortgage rate intact
- Real rates from real lenders — not estimates
- Soft credit check only — won't affect your score
No obligation. No credit impact.
4.8/5 from verified homeowner reviews
What You'll Get
Your Personalized Rate Comparison in Three Steps
We search 80+ lenders so you don't have to. Our network spans all 50 states and includes banks, credit unions, and specialized equity lenders. You get multiple real quotes — not estimates — based on your exact situation.
Answer Quick Questions
Tell us about your home, your equity, and what you're looking for. No personal details yet — just enough for us to find your matches. Takes about 3 minutes.
We Match You Instantly
Our matching engine compares your profile against 80+ lenders' current rates and requirements. See estimated APR, monthly payment, and loan terms side by side.
Apply to Your Top Choice
Choose the lender and terms that work for you. Start the formal application right through our platform. We handle the coordination so you never juggle multiple lenders.
Rate Insights
What Actually Affects Home Equity Loan Rates
Your rate depends on a few core factors. Unlike mortgages, home equity rates move faster and vary more widely between lenders. Here's what matters.
Loan-to-Value (LTV)
The lower your LTV, the better your rate. Borrowing $50,000 on a $400,000 home (50% LTV) earns better pricing than borrowing $80,000 (80% LTV).
Credit Score
Lenders save their best home equity line of credit rates for scores above 740. Scores 680–739 still qualify; below 680 prices higher.
Debt-to-Income
Most lenders want total monthly debt at 43–50% of your gross monthly income or less. Lower is better and unlocks more options.
Property Type & Location
Single-family primary residences get the strongest rates. Condos, second homes, and investment properties price slightly higher.
For The Self-Employed
Business Owners & Self-Employed Homeowners Welcome
Your tax returns don't always tell the full story. Many homeowners are told they don't qualify because traditional income documentation undersells their real financial picture. Our lending partners offer programs designed for:
Business Owners
Independent Contractors & Freelancers
Real Estate Investors
Entrepreneurs
Explore options that may work with your unique financial profile.
Take Control Of Debt
Use Your Equity to Take Control of High-Interest Debt
Many homeowners use home equity to:
A lower interest rate can potentially save thousands over time. Individual results vary based on lender terms and credit profile.
Fixed Rate Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC — Which Is Right for You
Both products use the equity in your home. The right pick depends on how — and when — you want to use the money.
Home Equity Loan
Fixed Rate. Fixed Payment.
Borrow a lump sum and repay it over 5, 10, 15, or 20 years at a fixed rate. Predictable. No surprises.
Best for:
- One-time expenses (renovation, education)
- Debt consolidation at a known monthly payment
- Borrowers who dislike payment surprises
HELOC
Flexible. Revolving.
A credit line you draw from as needed. Interest-only payments during the draw period (typically 10 years), then principal + interest during repayment.
Best for:
- Ongoing or staged projects (home improvement)
- Flexible access to cash over time
- Borrowers comfortable with variable rates
Current Rates
Home Equity Loan Rates Today
National averages from our 80+ lender network. Your actual rate depends on your unique profile.
| Loan Type | Typical APR | Rate Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Equity Loan | 7.1% – 8.8% | Fixed | One-time expenses |
| HELOC | 7.5% – 9.4% | Variable (tied to prime) | Ongoing access to cash |
| Cash-Out Refinance | 6.8% – 8.2% | Fixed | Replacing a higher-rate mortgage |
Prime rate changes ripple through HELOC rates immediately. Home equity loan rates follow broader market movement. Check your rate now to compare current options.
Who Qualifies
Home Equity Loan and HELOC Requirements
You typically qualify if you meet these criteria. Simple paperwork. No job verification calls to your boss.
Own Your Home
Primary owner who's lived in the home for at least 12 months.
Have Equity
At least 15–20% equity (some lenders go to 10%, but rates are higher).
Credit Score 620+
Most lenders start here; 680+ unlocks meaningful rate improvements.
Stable Income
Proof of W-2, 1099, or self-employment income from the last two years.
DTI Below 50%
Total monthly debt below half your gross monthly income.
U.S. Property
All 50 states. Primary, second home, or qualifying investment property.
Common Uses
Why Homeowners Choose Home Equity Loans and HELOC
Home Renovation & Improvement
Kitchen remodel, new roof, addition. Your home is collateral, so rates beat unsecured loans.
Debt Consolidation
Roll high-interest credit cards into one payment. Home equity rates are typically 3–5% lower than credit card APRs.
Education & College Funding
Interest may be tax-deductible when used for qualified purposes. Talk with a tax advisor for your situation.
Major Life Events
Medical bills, family emergencies, or unexpected expenses that need fast, predictable financing.
Cash-Out Alternative
Access equity without refinancing your full mortgage. Keep your existing low mortgage rate and borrow the rest.
Investment Property Funding
Some lenders offer HELOCs on investment properties — at slightly higher rates than a primary residence.
Why Choose Us
We Work for You, Not the Lenders
80+ Lender Network
Banks, credit unions, and online lenders compared in one place. No more calling around or waiting weeks for quotes.
20+ Years Combined Experience
Our team includes former mortgage officers and lending professionals who understand what actually moves pricing.
Trusted by 50,000+ Homeowners
Real homeowners. Real feedback. We've helped people access home equity faster and at better rates.
Transparent Process
No hidden fees. No broker markups. The rates we show are the rates lenders quote directly. You see everything.
Independent
We're not owned by a bank or lender. We don't profit if you choose Bank A over Bank B. Our job is your best rate — full stop.
Fast From Start to Funded
Quote to approval in 3–5 business days. Funding in 7–14 days for most lenders. No unnecessary delays.
Testimonials
What Homeowners Say
"I was planning to refinance my whole mortgage just to tap some equity. The Equity Experts showed me a HELOC was way cheaper. Saved myself thousands."
"The entire process took two weeks from quote to funded. That was faster than calling my bank and waiting on hold."
"I applied with three different places first. The Equity Experts found me a lender with a 1.5% better rate. Huge difference on the monthly payment."
"Used my HELOC to consolidate $42K of credit card debt. Cut my monthly payments almost in half. Honestly, life-changing."
"We funded a full kitchen remodel without touching our savings. The rate they matched us with beat every quote our local bank gave."
"I'm self-employed and figured this would be a hassle. Wrong — they matched me with a lender that actually understood 1099 income."
"Quote process took 10 minutes flat. Funded in 11 days. I told three neighbors already."
Home Equity Loans & HELOC Questions
Straightforward answers. No jargon. No pressure.
A home equity loan lets you borrow a fixed lump sum against the equity you've built in your home. You repay it over a set term at a fixed interest rate — making it predictable and easy to budget. It's ideal for large, one-time expenses like home improvement projects or medical bills.
A HELOC is a revolving credit line — similar to a credit card — but secured by your home's equity. You draw what you need, repay it, and draw again. HELOCs typically offer variable rates and are popular for HELOC for debt consolidation or ongoing renovation costs.
You apply with a lender, who assesses your home's current market value, subtracts what you owe, and determines how much equity you can borrow. You receive a lump sum, and repay it in monthly installments over 5–30 years at a fixed rate.
A HELOC has two phases: the draw period (usually 10 years), during which you can borrow and repay repeatedly, and the repayment period (10–20 years). HELOC rates are often variable, tied to the prime rate.
Home equity loan rates vary by lender, credit score, LTV ratio, and state. Rates typically range from 7% to 10%+ APR. Use our free tool to get real home equity loan rates matched to your specific profile.
HELOC rates are variable and change with market conditions. They're often lower than personal loans or credit cards. The only way to know your real HELOC rate is to get a personalized quote — which takes under 10 minutes here.
Typical home equity loan requirements include: at least 15–20% equity in your home, a credit score of 620+, stable income, and a debt-to-income ratio below 43%. Requirements vary by lender — we match you to lenders that fit your profile.
HELOC requirements are similar: 15–20% equity, 620+ credit score, verifiable income. Some lenders work with lower scores. Our tool searches 80+ lenders to find who will approve you today.
Most lenders allow you to borrow up to 80–85% of your home's appraised value minus what you owe. Example: $400,000 home, $200,000 mortgage = $120,000–$140,000 available equity.
Absolutely. A home equity loan for home improvement is one of the most popular uses because rates are far lower than personal loans or contractor financing. Plus, the interest may be tax-deductible.
Yes — HELOC for debt consolidation is very common. HELOC rates are typically much lower than credit card APRs (often 18–25%), so you can save thousands in interest while simplifying payments.
With The Equity Experts, you can get pre-qualified in under 10 minutes. Full approval from a lender varies — usually 2–4 weeks depending on appraisal and documentation.
Yes — we recommend using our intake form as your starting point. It gives you a real, lender-matched quote based on your actual mortgage balance, state, and profile — far more accurate than a generic home equity loan calculator.
Generic HELOC calculators give estimates. Our tool gives actual rates. Fill out our 3-step form and compare real offers from 80+ lenders — free, with no obligation.
Your equity sits idle while inflation rises. Rates change annually. Locking in a home equity loan rate today means you benefit from current conditions, not future ones.
Some lenders in our network specialize in borrowers with lower credit scores. The best way to find out is to run our 3-step quote form — we match you based on your whole financial picture.
Home equity loan = fixed lump sum, fixed rate. HELOC = flexible credit line, variable rate. If you know exactly what you need, choose the loan. If you want flexibility, choose the HELOC.
Your information is shared only with licensed lenders in our network who can actually help you. We never sell your data to marketers.
Fill out our free 3-step form above — it takes less than 10 minutes. No hard credit pull. No obligation. Just real rates from real lenders.
Get Started in 3 Minutes
Stop calling banks individually. Stop waiting for quotes. Compare real rates from 80+ lenders in one place. No applications. No commitment. Just your true rate options.