{"id":3896,"date":"2025-12-18T21:36:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/18\/helocs-near-3-year-lows-home-equity-rates-hold-bankrate\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T21:36:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:36:45","slug":"helocs-near-3-year-lows-home-equity-rates-hold-bankrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/18\/helocs-near-3-year-lows-home-equity-rates-hold-bankrate\/","title":{"rendered":"HELOCs Near 3-Year Lows, Home Equity Rates Hold | Bankrate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HELOC rates are feeling the impact of the Federal Reserve\u2019s recent quarter-point rate cut. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell 18 basis points to 7.63%, its lowest level in almost three years, according to Bankrate\u2019s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan held steady at 7.99% for the third week in a row.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If the drop in HELOC rates has you thinking about tapping your home equity, Stephen Kates, senior analyst at Bankrate, says it\u2019s important to proceed carefully. \u201cHomeowners should first assess their financial stability and their ability to afford the loan before moving forward,\u201d he says. \u201cUsing a loan or line of credit to cover a gap between income and ongoing expenses is a recipe for disaster. These products should be used prudently and saved for planned projects or expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nCurrent<\/strong><\/td>\n4 weeks ago<\/strong><\/td>\nOne year ago<\/strong><\/td>\n52-week average<\/strong><\/td>\n52-week low<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HELOC<\/td>\n7.63%<\/td>\n7.81%<\/td>\n8.52%<\/td>\n8.10%<\/td>\n7.63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5-year home equity loan <\/td>\n7.99%<\/td>\n7.99%<\/td>\n8.41%<\/td>\n8.26%<\/td>\n7.99%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10-year home equity loan<\/td>\n8.18%<\/td>\n8.18%<\/td>\n8.55%<\/td>\n8.42%<\/td>\n8.17%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15-year home equity loan<\/td>\n8.13%<\/td>\n8.13%<\/td>\n8.48%<\/td>\n8.34%<\/td>\n8.10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Note: The home equity rates in this survey assume a line or loan amount of $30,000.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\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 Federal Reserve policy and long-term inflation expectations. Three times in 2025, the central bank lowered interest rates by a quarter point and said inflation continues to be a concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cVariable rates, such as those on HELOCs, will move lower alongside the federal funds rate, allowing both new and existing borrowers to benefit,\u201d says Kates. \u201cFixed home equity loan rates, similar to mortgage rates, will more closely track the 10-year Treasury yield, which responds less directly to the federal funds rate and more to broader economic conditions and inflation expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Current home equity rates vs. rates on other types of credit<\/h2>\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\u00a0mortgage rates\u00a0\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
Credit type<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage rate<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HELOC<\/td>\n7.63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Home equity loan<\/td>\n7.99%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credit card<\/td>\n19.75%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal loan<\/td>\n12.22%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Source: Bankrate national survey of lenders, Dec. 17<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

While average rates are useful to know, the individual\u00a0offer you receive\u00a0on 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 of 80% to 85% 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

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Mortgage Icon<\/title> <\/svg> <\/p>\n
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Home equity trends <\/p>\n

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