A HELOC, or home equity line of credit, can be a great way to finance your investment property purchase, and the interest on it might be tax deductible.
To qualify, the property must be used for business or investment purposes, and you must itemize your deductions on your tax return.
The IRS allows you to deduct the interest on a HELOC used to purchase a rental property, which can help reduce your taxable income.
Qualifying for a HELOC
Qualifying for a HELOC is a crucial step in tapping into the potential of a home equity line of credit.
To qualify, borrowers must meet three specific requirements: a good credit score, a manageable debt-to-income ratio, and sufficient equity in their home.
A credit score of at least 740 is traditionally considered a good score, but different lenders have different criteria, so it's essential to check with your lender.
A debt-to-income ratio is also a critical factor, and lenders will consider your income, expenses, and other debt obligations when evaluating your application.
The single most important factor in qualifying for a HELOC is equity, which is the difference between the value of your home and the balance on your mortgage.
Here's a summary of the key factors in qualifying for a HELOC:
By understanding these key factors, you can increase your chances of qualifying for a HELOC and unlocking the potential of a home equity line of credit.
Using a HELOC for Investment Property
Using a HELOC for Investment Property can be a smart move, especially if you have equity in your home. This allows you to tap into your home's value and use the funds to invest in another property.
A HELOC can be used to access cash that will generate a return, such as buying another property or upgrading your current one to make it more attractive to tenants.
To qualify for a HELOC, you must meet three specific requirements: a good credit score, a manageable debt-to-income ratio, and sufficient equity in your home.
You can use a HELOC to fund home improvements for your rental properties, just as a homeowner would for their primary residence, or to pay off other high-interest debt if necessary. This can be a great way to build wealth and reduce your financial burden.
By using a HELOC to invest in a rental property, you can potentially earn extra income from renting the property, see property value appreciation over time, and enjoy more tax deductible expenses.
Understand Equity
Equity is the key to unlocking a HELOC for your investment property. To qualify for a HELOC, you'll need to have equity in your home, which means the balance on your remaining mortgage is less than the house is worth.
A house has equity if it's worth more than the mortgage balance. For example, if your home is worth $200,000 and you owe $150,000 on your mortgage, you have $50,000 in equity.
The amount of equity you have will determine how much you can borrow with a HELOC. Typically, lenders allow you to borrow up to 80% of the value of your home.
Here's a breakdown of the typical equity requirements for a HELOC:
Keep in mind that the more equity you have, the more you can borrow. But remember, you're still borrowing against your home's value, so be sure to use the funds wisely and make timely payments to avoid foreclosure.
Why Buy?
Investing in real estate can be a smart move, especially in a country like Canada where population growth is driving up demand for housing. As long as the population continues to grow, property values will likely increase over time.
Canada's real estate market has been struggling with a lack of housing supply, which has led to inflated prices. However, this doesn't mean that investing in real estate is a bad idea. In fact, as supply issues are addressed, prices will still increase, just not as quickly.
One of the benefits of real estate investing is the potential for extra income from renting out the property. This can be a great way to earn some extra cash each month. Plus, property value appreciation over time can also lead to significant gains.
Here are some of the key benefits of real estate investing:
- Extra income from renting the property
- Property value appreciation over time
- More tax deductible expenses (e.g. home insurance, property taxes, repairs, etc.)
- Capital gains tax exemptions (e.g. RRSP and TFSA contributions, ownership transfers, capital losses, etc.)
It's also worth noting that investing in fixer-upper properties in lower-value neighborhoods can be a more affordable option for those who don't have a large budget.
Meeting IRS Requirements
To ensure you're meeting all requirements for deducting interest on your home equity loan or line of credit, read through the IRS's Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction.
This publication provides a detailed overview of what types of interest are deductible, what homes qualify, and how to accurately report the deductions on your tax return. By carefully following all of the guidelines set forth by the IRS, you can maximize your deduction for your home equity loan or line of credit.
The IRS's Publication 936 is your go-to resource for understanding the rules and regulations surrounding home mortgage interest deductions.
To accurately report your deductions on your tax return, make sure to follow the guidelines outlined in the IRS's Publication 936.
Deductible Interest and Limitations
You can deduct the interest on a HELOC used to buy an investment property, but there are some limitations to keep in mind.
The total deductible interest is limited to $750,000 of total qualifying indebtedness, or $375,000 if married filing separately. This means you can only deduct the interest on the first $750,000 of your combined debt, including any mortgages on your primary residence.
Tax deductibility refers to the process of subtracting certain expenses and investments from your taxable income, and it's meant to provide an incentive to act in a way that's beneficial to both yourself and the broader economy.
To qualify for a HELOC, borrowers must meet three specific requirements: a good credit score, a manageable debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and sufficient equity in their home.
Here are the key limitations to keep in mind:
- Limit on total deductible interest: $750,000 (or $375,000 for married filing separately)
- Limit on combined debt: includes any mortgages on your primary residence
- Must itemize deductions on your tax return
You can only deduct the interest actually accrued on withdrawn funds, not on your total line of credit. This means you'll need to keep track of how much you've withdrawn and how much interest you've accrued to ensure you're only deducting what's eligible.
Loan Options and Requirements
To get a HELOC on an investment property, you'll need to meet certain requirements. These include having a good credit score and a stable income. You'll also need to put up the property as collateral, which can be a risk if you're unable to repay the loan.
The four options for loans on investment properties are traditional bank loans, hard money loans, home equity loans, and private money loans. Each type of loan has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Lenders consider default risk to be higher for investment property HELOCs, so you may have to pay a higher interest rate and fees. This is because the lender is more likely to lose money if you default on the loan.
To find a lender that offers HELOCs on investment properties, you can check out our list of the best HELOC lenders. Some lenders may restrict investment property HELOCs based on location or whether you rent out the home all year.
Here are seven lenders that offer HELOCs on investment properties:
- TD Bank
- PNC
- Figure
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Flagstar
- Guaranteed Rate
- State Employees Credit Union
The process of getting a HELOC on an investment property is similar to getting a mortgage. You'll need to apply for the loan and provide financial information to the lender.
Applying for a HELOC
Applying for a HELOC requires a thorough financial scrutiny, where lenders will examine your credit score, debt load, cash flow, and cash reserves to determine if they'll loan you the cash and how much they'll charge.
Lenders will also do an appraisal of your property, setting its official value, which will be based on its condition and the income it generates.
Be prepared for a detailed review of your finances, as lenders will be looking for any red flags that might indicate a risk of default.
To qualify for a HELOC, you'll need to have an asset with enough equity to tap into, which will serve as collateral for the loan.
Investors who use a HELOC on rental property must first have an asset with enough equity to tap into, allowing them to borrow money against it to fund the purchase of another property or make home improvements.
To qualify for a HELOC, lenders will examine your debt-to-income ratio, credit score, other open accounts, and available cash cushion, making it more challenging for investors to qualify compared to homeowners.
Alternatives and Considerations
If you're considering using a HELOC to buy an investment property, you might want to explore alternative options. A personal loan, for instance, can provide a shorter-term solution with lower set-up costs, although it often comes with higher interest rates.
Home equity loans and cash-out refinances are also viable alternatives to HELOCs. Home equity loans offer a fixed amount of credit, while cash-out refinances allow you to tap into your home's equity with a new loan.
Here are some key differences between these options:
- Home Equity Loan: Fixed amount of credit, typically set
- Cash-Out Refinance: New loan with a larger balance, often with a lower interest rate
- Personal Loan: Short-term solution with lower set-up costs, but higher interest rates
Keep in mind that HELOCs may be a good idea when using the funds for real estate improvements, as they come with tax benefits. However, rates are generally higher than other types of financing, and lenders may have stricter requirements.
Transaction Record Keeping
Keeping accurate records of your HELOC transactions is crucial. This includes keeping track of payments made and interest accrued, as well as receipts and invoices documenting home improvement costs.
Detailed records of bank statements will help you prove your deductions if the IRS questions them. It's essential to keep receipts for materials, labor costs, and other expenses related to renovations, repairs, or improvements.
Alternatives
If you're considering alternatives to a HELOC, one option is a cash-out refinance. This involves refinancing your loan on your investment property to a higher amount, provided you have enough equity, and taking the difference in cash.
A home equity loan is another alternative to a HELOC, but it's typically set and not open-ended like a credit card.
With a cash-out refinance, you can get a lower interest rate, making it a great alternative to HELOCs.
If you can't qualify for a HELOC, taking out a HELOC on your primary residence is an option, but be aware that your home is on the line if you can't repay the loan.
You might also consider a personal loan, which can be a lump sum with higher interest rates if your credit isn't great.
Here are some alternatives to a HELOC, including their characteristics:
A small business loan can be an option if you have a company set up to own and operate your investment property. This can provide access to funds you need, but be aware that the interest rates will likely be higher than a personal HELOC.
The Bottom Line on
Using a HELOC on an investment property can be a savvy financial move, particularly if your need for funds is real estate-related. You can leverage the property to improve the property — and its income-generating or appreciation potential.
HELOCs are an especially good idea when you want to use the funds on the real estate itself because there are tax benefits. You can use the funds to buy another property that can act as an additional investment, without depleting your savings.
However, HELOCs on investment properties have higher rates than residential-property HELOCs. You need to have pretty solid financials to qualify for one.
Opening a HELOC on an investment property can be a good way to access cash that will generate a return. The mortgage interest becomes a rental expense, which can be used to reduce your taxable income.
You may be able to score some tax benefits by using a HELOC on an investment property. This is because the mortgage interest is a rental expense that can be used to reduce your taxable income.
The availability of HELOCs on investment properties is limited to a small number of lenders. You need to have a solid financial foundation to qualify for one.
Cons
A HELOC on an investment property isn't without its drawbacks. One major con is the limited availability of lenders that offer these types of loans.
You might find it harder to secure a HELOC on an investment property compared to a primary home. This is because not many lenders offer HELOCs on investment properties, which can limit your options.
Higher interest rates and fees are another con to consider. Most lenders charge higher rates and fees on HELOCs for investment properties than on primary homes.
You can expect to pay nearly 2 percentage points more in interest on a HELOC for an investment property compared to a primary or secondary home, according to recent data.
Extra fees, such as an annual fee and early cancellation or termination fee, are also common with HELOCs on investment properties. These fees can add up quickly.
If your property loses value, you could wind up owing more on the property than it's worth, a situation known as being underwater. This is a risk to consider when taking out a HELOC on an investment property.
Summary and Next Steps
Tapping into alternative sources of financing, like a HELOC, can be a great way to fund investment property deals and boost your bottomline if invested wisely.
Having access to working capital can make a big difference for investors.
As an owner-client, you can relax and let the professionals handle everything, including legal eviction fees, a significant risk for landlords.
Relaxing and letting the experts handle the details can give you peace of mind and free up your time for more important things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a HELOC to pay property taxes?
Yes, you can use a HELOC to pay property taxes, but it's often a more cost-effective option if you have built up equity in your home. Consider a HELOC over other borrowing options like credit cards or personal loans to save on interest.
Are loan payments on rental property tax deductible?
Yes, the annual interest on a mortgage for a rental property is tax-deductible, offering a significant tax benefit. This can help reduce taxable income and lower your tax liability.
Sources
- https://money.com/is-heloc-interest-tax-deductible/
- https://www.newsdirect.com/moneywise/the-best-types-of-loans-for-investment-properties-in-canada/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/can-you-get-a-heloc-on-an-investment-property-2
- https://www.bankrate.com/home-equity/heloc-on-investment-property/
- https://www.rentlifepm.com/owners/how-to-use-a-heloc-on-investment-property/
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