
The Space Coast is a great place to live, but it can be expensive. You might be considering a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to tap into your home's value.
To qualify for a Space Coast HELOC, you typically need to have at least 20% equity in your home. This means you've paid down a significant portion of your mortgage.
The interest rates for Space Coast HELOCs can vary depending on your credit score and the lender. Some lenders may offer rates as low as 4.5%, while others may be higher.
You'll need to provide financial documents, such as pay stubs and tax returns, to apply for a Space Coast HELOC.
How to Apply for a HELOC
To apply for a home equity line of credit, you can enjoy a fast and easy online application process with Space Coast Credit Union.
You'll need to have certain information handy, such as your Social Security numbers, income information for all borrowers, and details on your recent employment history, current mortgage loan balance, and bank and brokerage accounts.
You can reach out to the Express Services Team online or by phone to get started, and you'll hear back from a Mortgage Representative within one business day.
Space Coast Credit Union only offers HELOCs for properties located within the state of Florida.
To learn more about the application process and associated costs, you can request a loan consultation with an SCCU loan officer.
Understanding HELOC Costs
If you're considering a Space Coast HELOC, it's essential to understand the costs involved. Most types of mortgage-related financing will have some costs and fees associated with them.
At Space Coast Credit Union, their home equity lines of credit have no loan origination fees. This can be a significant savings for borrowers.
You'll also be happy to know that there are no points or intangible tax with a Space Coast HELOC. This means you can get the funds you need without breaking the bank.
To get a better understanding of the costs, it's recommended to request a loan consultation with an SCCU loan officer. They'll be happy to answer all of your questions and provide personalized guidance.
Getting a Home Equity Line of Credit

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a type of loan that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home. You can use your home as collateral and receive a revolving credit limit based on the approved amount of equity.
The approved limit of your equity is determined by the loan-to-value calculation, which is based on the value of your home and the balance of your first mortgage. For example, if your home is appraised at $200,000 and your first mortgage balance is $100,000, and the lender permits home equity loans up to 85% of the home's value, you would have $70,000 in equity available to borrow.
You can use a HELOC to tap into your home's equity on a revolving basis, making it a convenient option for large purchases or home renovations. The interest rate on a HELOC is often much lower than a credit card, and you'll have a draw period where you can access the funds as needed.
During the draw period, you'll typically be required to make minimum monthly payments, which will be applied to the outstanding balance. After the draw period ends, you'll enter the repayment period, where you'll pay back the balance and interest over time.
Is a HELOC Right for You?
A HELOC can be a useful financial vehicle for gaining access to the necessary funds to accomplish various tasks.
Whether or not a HELOC is right for you depends on your unique situation and goals. A HELOC is a great way to pay for home repairs or renovations because these will often increase the value of your home.
A HELOC can be a useful tool in helping you achieve your goals, but you should also consider the pros and cons of cash out refinancing vs. a HELOC loan. Our personal mortgage representatives at SCCU will help you walk through the advantages and disadvantages of a HELOC to give you the best idea of whether this decision is right for you.
Calculating HELOC Payments
Calculating HELOC payments can be a bit tricky, but it's actually quite straightforward. You can estimate your monthly payments using a home equity calculator, which takes into account the loan amount, interest rate, and repayment period.
A HELOC acts much like a credit card, where you can use up to the approved limit of your equity on a revolving basis for a certain amount of time, known as the draw period. You'll need to consider this draw period when calculating your payments.
You can borrow up to 85% of your home's value, as calculated by the loan-to-value amount. For example, if your home is appraised at $200,000 and the lender allows 85% of the home's value, you can borrow $170,000.
After the draw period, you'll enter the repayment period, where you'll pay back the balance and interest. This is where calculating your payments becomes crucial, as you'll want to ensure you can afford the monthly payments.
The interest rate on a HELOC is often much lower than a credit card, making it a more attractive option for borrowing. However, you'll still need to consider the interest rate when calculating your payments.
You can use a home equity calculator to estimate how much equity you have in your home and how much you can borrow. This will give you a better idea of what your monthly payments might look like.
How Home Equity Loans Work
You can borrow against the built-up equity in your home with a home equity loan, but you'll need to understand how it works. A home equity loan is a type of loan that uses your home as collateral.
You have two options: a fixed-rate home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). The loan-to-value calculation determines how much equity you can borrow. This calculation is based on the home's value and the loan-to-value amount allowed by the lender.
For example, let's say your home is appraised at $200,000 and your first mortgage balance is $100,000. If the lender permits home equity loans up to 85% of the home's value, you'd have $70,000 in equity available to borrow. A fixed-rate home equity loan acts like a personal loan, but with your home as collateral.
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) works like a credit card, but with a much lower interest rate and your home as collateral. You can use up to the approved limit of your equity on a revolving basis during the draw period.
The draw period is a certain amount of time, and you'll have minimum monthly payment requirements. After the draw period, you'll have the repayment period where you'll pay back the balance and interest.
Paying Off a HELOC
Paying off a HELOC can be a daunting task, especially when you're dealing with a large balance and high interest rates.
The average HELOC balance in Brevard County, Florida, is around $50,000, with some homeowners carrying balances as high as $100,000 or more.
You can pay off a HELOC by making regular payments, which can be set up as a fixed monthly payment or as a lump sum payment.
In Space Coast, Florida, homeowners can expect to pay around 5-7% interest on their HELOC, which can add up quickly.
A good rule of thumb is to pay more than the minimum payment each month to chip away at the principal balance.
For example, if you have a HELOC balance of $50,000 at 6% interest, paying an extra $100 per month can save you around $2,500 in interest over the life of the loan.
Sources
- https://www.sccu.com/personal/home-equity-loans/home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc
- https://www.sccu.com/articles/home-mortgage/how-does-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-work-a-guide
- https://www.sccu.com/articles/home-mortgage/5-top-tips-to-getting-the-best-heloc-rates
- https://www.sccu.com/services/calculators/home-equity
- https://superiorchoice.com/loans/home-loans/home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc/
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