A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT (often called as HELOC and pronounced as HEE-LOCK) is a loan which is different from the process which strikes your mind when you hear the word “loan”. It is more or less like a credit card where a credit line is assigned to you which you not necessarily will get in one go and will not necessarily spend in one go. Let’s make it simpler.
By putting your house as collateral lender agrees upon a sum equal to or less than the worth of your house which again is the value of the house in fair market less the mortgage you already have on that house. Against this collateral you are assigned a line of credit by the lender that you can borrow up to. There is a “Draw period” which is typically 5-25 years, an amount can be borrowed and you need to pay what actually you have used. Of course the interest on that amount would be paid by you.
Unlike the conventional loans, HELOC interest rate is a variable which is based on index like prime rate. This ensures that the interest rates will change over a period of time. There is a margin that the lender keeps which actually is the difference between the prime rate and the interest charged to the borrower. It may vary from lender to lender. Borrower should be proactive enough to ask about the margin which shopping for HELOC.
Most popular form of loans in this decade, HELOCS  in USA are opted as interest paid on it is tax deductible under federal and state laws provided they meet the requirements laid due to specific circumstances. There is one more reason why people opt for HELOCs. It allows the borrower flexibility in determining borrowing terms and repayment schedule.
HELOC is arrived at by the lender on the basis of home equity. It is generally 75% of the home equity. It is generally appraised market value of your home subtracting the balance owed on the existing mortgage. Along with this, lenders often consider the borrower’s payment ability while assigning the credit line. Here lender will look into the principal and interest, your income and debts or any other financial obligation and most importantly your credit scores.
There is a “draw period” fixed during which you can borrow money out of the credit line assigned. Once this period expires your may renew this line of credit. Without renewal you are not allowed to borrow further. Also under some plans, you need to pay in full the remaining amount at the end of draw period. There are some plans where you are required to keep a minimum amount outstanding from your line of credit or in some plans you are required to use an initial advance when the line of credit is set up.