{"id":3362,"date":"2025-10-24T12:52:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/10\/24\/home-equity-rates-maintain-their-two-year-low-bankrate\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T12:52:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:52:14","slug":"home-equity-rates-maintain-their-two-year-low-bankrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/10\/24\/home-equity-rates-maintain-their-two-year-low-bankrate\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Equity Rates Maintain Their Two-Year Low | Bankrate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Minimal movement in home equity rates in the latest week. The benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan edged down two basis points to 8.13 percent, marking the second week at its lowest level in two years. Meanwhile, the $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.84 percent, according to Bankrate\u2019s national survey of lenders. <\/mark><\/p>\n

For homeowners wondering whether now is the right time to tap their equity, Michelle Parkison, senior vice president of capital markets at AD Mortgage, a wholesale lender based in Florida, offers this advice: \u201cDon\u2019t put your life on hold because you want to play the market and think rates are going to do XYZ,\u201d she says. \u201cYou can never forecast what the market\u2019s going to do. The house always wins. You\u2019re never going to be able to time things perfectly.\u201d<\/mark><\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nCurrent<\/th>\n4 weeks ago<\/th>\nOne year ago<\/th>\n52-week average<\/th>\n52-week low<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
HELOC<\/td>\n7.84%<\/td>\n8.05%<\/td>\n8.69%<\/td>\n8.24%<\/td>\n7.84%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5-year home equity loan <\/td>\n8.13%<\/td>\n8.28%<\/td>\n8.36%<\/td>\n8.33%<\/td>\n8.13%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10-year home equity loan<\/td>\n8.28%<\/td>\n8.43%<\/td>\n8.46%<\/td>\n8.47%<\/td>\n8.28%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15-year home equity loan<\/td>\n8.18%<\/td>\n8.31%<\/td>\n8.38%<\/td>\n8.39%<\/td>\n8.18%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
Note: The home equity rates in this survey assume a line or loan amount of $30,000.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What\u2019s driving home equity rates today?<\/h2>\n

Both HELOC and home equity loan rates have declined substantially from their 2024 highs. Rates are being driven primarily by two factors \u2014 the first one is the Federal Reserve\u2019s actions. In particular, the Fed impacts the cost of variable-rate products, like HELOCs. After cutting rates by a quarter point at its September meeting, the central bank suggested it may lower borrowing costs two more times this year.<\/p>\n

What could complicate matters for the Fed is the government shutdown, which has now reached its two-week mark. The stoppage has not only delayed crucial economic data but has also created economic uncertainty. <\/mark><\/p>\n

Add to that lender competition, promotional offers and underwriting standards, all of which also have an impact on HELOC and home equity loan rates, says Stephen Kates, senior analyst at Bankrate<\/mark>.<\/mark> But beyond rates, \u201cSome banks offer additional perks or services that may benefit borrowers,\u201d he says. \u201cShopping around and comparing multiple offers is the best way to secure a competitive rate and find a banking relationship that aligns with your financial goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Current home equity rates vs. rates on other types of credit<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

Because HELOCs and home equity loans use your home as collateral, their rates tend to be much less expensive \u2014 more akin to current mortgage rates \u2014 than the interest charged on credit cards or personal loans, which aren\u2019t secured.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0Credit type<\/th>\nAverage rate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
HELOC<\/td>\n7.84%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home equity loan<\/td>\n8.13%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credit card<\/td>\n20.03%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal loan<\/td>\n12.26%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
Source: Bankrate national survey of lenders, Oct. 15<\/em>
<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

While average rates are useful to know, the individual offer you receive on a particular HELOC or new home equity loan reflects additional factors like your creditworthiness and financials. Then there\u2019s the value of your home and the size of your ownership stake. Lenders generally limit all your home loans (including your mortgage) to a maximum 80 to 85 percent of your home\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind: Even if you\u2019re able to secure a favorable rate from a lender, home equity products are still relatively high-cost debt. <\/p>\n

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Unlock your home\u2019s value <\/h3>\n

A fixed-rate home equity loan offers a lump-sum payout and a predictable repayment schedule. <\/p>\n

Explore offers <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n