A HELOC is a home equity line of credit. This is one way some people use to borrow money for large purchases such as their children's college education or a large purchase that they would not otherwise use their credit card to purchase. Because this is a variable interest rate loan it will have some tie in with current mortgage rates.

You will have to submit a credit report and also bank statements and all that goes into the loan process. But it is really dependent on your home equity. Your loan will be for a percentage of what you have in your home equity. This is the difference of the market value of your home compared with what you owe the lender who holds the note on your home.

This is the amount you will apply for with a home equity loan. The collateral of course is your property. Keep in mind of the mortgage rates – if you fail to make the payments then the land will be foreclosed on. The first lender will get paid first and then the people who hold the note on the home equity loan.

The home equity deal works as a line of credit does. You only pay what you take out on the loan. You do not have to take the full amount of the loan out at any time.

The interest rate you pay will be based on the prime market value at the time. This rate may be different than the current GIC rates, but it will be a variable interest rate. So you are taking a risk that the interest rates will stay low but they might shoot up also. One advantage this type of loan has over the basic credit card is that you can write off the interest on your income tax.

This is one reason some find it to their advantage to take out this type of loan verses using their credit cards. Some might be surprised to know that there was a time when people could deduct interest paid on credit cards from their income tax liability.

Like any other loan you have to plan ahead. You want to make sure you have a secure job so that you can keep making the payments. You want to have six months of money in the bank to pay bills with in case you lose your job. You want to have a strategy in place as to how you will pay back the loan.

And you have to be prepared for the worst. No one plans to go into foreclosure and lose their home. But remember when you take out any loan with your home as collateral you always have to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

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