Home Equity Loans & HELOCs

Interest on a HELOC or a home equity loan is deductible if you use the funds for renovations to your home — the phrase is “buy, build, or substantially improve.” The caveat here is that the money must be spent on the property whose equity is the source of the loan. (We strongly encourage you to consult your tax professional for guidance that applies to your own unique circumstances.)

That totally depends on your circumstance, and it’s certainly not an either/or situation. But typically, your available balance on a HELOC is higher than a credit card, and because this line of credit is secured by your home, HELOC interest rates are generally lower than what credit cards offer. That’s why it works well for large projects, leaving your credit card free for the everyday stuff.

This part is really easy, especially if you have a UBT checking account. You can make a payment on your HELOC in any local branch, online within UBTgo, or on your phone using the UBTgo mobile app (message and data rates may apply).

You can choose to pay off any remaining balance owed against your HELOC at any time. If you pay off your HELOC balance early, you have the option of leaving it open for future borrowing.

You can make interest-only or principal-plus-interest payments the entire term of the HELOC if there is an outstanding balance. (Note: If your credit score does not qualify you for interest-only payments, you’ll pay 1% of the principal plus interest.) It’s worth noting that additional principal payments, if you can make them, would reduce the amount of your monthly payments. This information (principal, interest, and payment details) is always readily available to you, and you can set up an automatic payment for your convenience.

Until you actually use your HELOC (called a draw), you only owe the annual fee. Once you take a draw, you will begin making monthly payments based on the payment date you select. Depending on what your credit score qualifies you for, your payments will either be interest-only OR interest plus 1% of principal.