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DictionaryLoans

HELOC: what it means

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets you borrow again and again against the equity in your home: what the home is worth minus what you owe on your mortgage. During the draw period you can take out money up to your credit limit, usually with special checks or a card.

In Spanish it is

HELOC

Also written as: HELOC · home equity line

The full explanation

When that period ends you can no longer borrow and you enter the repayment period, when payments are often much higher; sometimes the whole balance is due at once. It usually has a variable interest rate. If you do not repay it, you could lose your home.

An example

Óscar opens a HELOC to have money available for repairs. He draws only what he needs, but checks how much his payment will rise when the draw period ends.

You will see it in…

  • The HELOC's Truth in Lending disclosures
  • The credit line's statements
  • Your credit report

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

A man smiles on a bench outside his apartment building.

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

  1. 1. CFPB · What is a home equity line of credit (HELOC)? (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  2. 2. CFPB · Mortgages key terms: home equity line of credit (HELOC) (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026