To qualify for a home equity line of credit, you’ll need more than equity in your property. Your current income level, credit score, and credit history all play a part. A lender may deny your HELOC application because of your income level or a red flag on your credit report.
While low income and poor credit could be roadblocks, there are ways to boost your HELOC approval chances. Here, we’ll cover how to get a home equity line of credit by applying with a co-applicant.
How to Get a Home Equity Line of Credit with a Co-Applicant
Your co-applicant, sometimes referred to as the co-borrower, is a trusted person who’ll share the liability for repaying your home equity line of credit. The co-applicant assumes equal ownership, payment and overall responsibility for the loan payments.
When considering how to get a home equity line of credit, you might seek out a reliable co-applicant with a solid credit history or a higher income than yours to improve your approval chances. Often, people choose to co-borrow with a partner or spouse to qualify for a larger loan than either one of the individuals could get on their own.
The Benefits of a Co-Applicant on a HELOC
A co-applicant with good credit could improve approval chances for a primary borrower with shakier. A co-applicant may also help secure a lower interest rate. Not only that, you might be able to access more equity in your home by applying for a HELOC with a co-applicant.
If you’re thinking about how to get a home equity line of credit to consolidate debt or pay for home renovations, consider adding a trusted co-applicant to your HELOC application to increase your approval chances.
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Eligibility for a home equity loan or HELOC up to the maximum amount shown depends on the information provided in the home equity application. Depending on the lender, loans above $250,000 may require an in-home appraisal and title insurance. Depending on the lender, HELOC borrowers must take an initial draw of the greater of $50,000 or 50% of the total line amount at closing, except in Texas, where the minimum initial draw at closing is $60,000; subsequent HELOC draws are prohibited during the first 90 days following closing; after the first 90 days following closing, subsequent HELOC draws must be $1,000, or more, except in Texas, where the minimum subsequent draw amount is $4,000.
The amount of time it takes to get funds varies. It is measured from the time the lender receives all documents requested from the applicant and depends on the time it takes to verify information provided in the application. The time period calculation to get funds is based on the first 4 months of 2023 loan fundings, assumes the funds are wired, excludes weekends, and excludes the government-mandated disclosure waiting period.
For Texas home equity products through Prosper, funds cannot be used to pay (in part or in full) non-homestead debt at account opening.
Depending on the lender, qualified home equity applicants may borrow up to 80% – 95% of their primary home’s value and up to 80% – 90% of the value of a second home. In Texas, qualified applicants may borrow up to 80% of their home’s value. HELoan applicants may borrow up to 85% of the value of an investment property (not available for HELOCs).
Home equity products through Prosper may not be available in all states.
All home equity products are underwritten and issued by Prosper’s Lending Partners. Please see your agreement for details.
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