After years of rapidly increasing home prices, today’s homeowners are sitting on unprecedented levels of home equity. Right now, the average homeowner has approximately $330,000 in available equity — up by about $28,000 compared to February 2024. The amount of home equity that can be accessed while maintaining a healthy 20% equity cushion now amounts to $214,000. This hefty amount of equity represents an appealing opportunity for homeowners to access the funds they need with a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

Accessing your home equity can come with big benefits, too, especially right now. One is that the low average rates on HELOCs and home equity loans make them a lower-cost alternative to credit cards or personal loans. The borrowing limits tend to be higher than what you’d get with a personal loan or credit card, too. As a result, this type of borrowing can be used for a wide range of purposes, whether you need to cover significant expenses from home improvements, medical bills or education costs. 

However, having equity doesn’t automatically guarantee access to these funds. Home equity lenders carefully evaluate borrowers’ creditworthiness, and factors like a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio or credit issues can make approval challenging. This raises an important question for homeowners with lower credit scores: Is it possible to get a HELOC with a credit score of 580?

See what HELOC interest rate is available to you here.

Can I get a HELOC with a 580 credit score?

Getting approved for a HELOC with a 580 credit score is generally difficult. Most traditional lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to 660 to qualify, with some requiring scores of 680 or higher. A 580 credit score is considered “poor” by most lending standards, which makes approval from conventional banks and credit unions unlikely.

That said, it may not be impossible to get approved for a HELOC with this type of credit score. While a 580 credit score is lower than what’s typically required, there are lenders open to borrowers with credit challenges and some non-traditional lenders specialize in working with borrowers who have lower credit scores. To be approved, though, you’ll likely need significant equity in your home, often 40% or more, along with a low DTI ratio and stable income history. They’ll also typically want to see that you’ve maintained a clean payment history on your existing mortgage, as that can lower the risk of approving you to borrow money.

Another factor these lenders examine is your home’s loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, or how much you owe compared to its current value. If your LTV is high — meaning you’ve borrowed a large percentage of your home’s value — getting approved could be harder. Most lenders prefer LTV ratios at or below 80%, though some may go higher depending on other qualifying factors. With a higher amount of equity, lenders may view your application more favorably, despite your low credit score.

If you are approved for a HELOC with a 580 credit score, there is a tradeoff to consider: your interest rate. If your score is below average, you can expect to be offered a higher interest rate than what you’d get with a better credit score. This higher rate accounts for the lender’s increased risk when lending to someone with poor credit. This increased interest rate could impact your monthly payment and your ability to repay the line of credit.

Find out how affordable home equity borrowing could be now.

What other home equity borrowing options do I have?

If a HELOC isn’t feasible due to your credit score or other factors, you may want to consider these other home equity borrowing options:

• Home equity loan: Unlike a HELOC, which is a line of credit, a home equity loan provides a lump sum and fixed interest rate, allowing for consistent monthly payments. Some lenders may have more flexibility in approving home equity loans compared to HELOCs. With a credit score of 580, you may still face challenges, but it could be worth exploring lenders who work with lower credit scores.
• Cash-out refinance: A cash-out refinance involves replacing your current mortgage with a new one that is larger than your current loan balance. The difference is paid to you in cash, which you can use however you’d like. Cash-out refinancing might be a better option if your credit score disqualifies you from a HELOC since lenders tend to prioritize the primary mortgage. However, your credit score will still impact your interest rate and loan terms.

The bottom line

Though a HELOC can be difficult to secure with a 580 credit score, it could still be possible. However, you’ll likely pay a lot more in interest if you’re approved. So, if you don’t need the funds immediately, it could benefit you to take steps to improve your credit score first, which can increase your options over time. By improving your creditworthiness, you’ll be better positioned to access the funds you need for home improvement projects, debt consolidation or any other financial needs.

Inflation is on the decline. Interest rates were recently reduced. The unemployment rate is falling. All of these headlines were recently released, giving Americans some welcome economic news after a few years of worrisome developments. But while all of these news items are trending in the right direction, it will still take time for the economic pain of recent years to fully subside.

Interest rates, after all, are only coming down from a 22-year high. And inflation, while almost at the Federal Reserve’s target 2% goal, was as high as 9% just two years ago. Interest rates on a range of borrowing products, meanwhile, remain exponentially higher than they were in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the pandemic. 

Understanding this dynamic, then, many Americans may still benefit from pursuing a debt relief option, even with the recent encouraging economic news. Are you one of those who could use the help? Below, we’ll break down three reasons why you should consider debt relief this November.

Start tackling your credit card debt with a forgiveness program here.

3 reasons to consider debt relief this November

Not sure if debt relief is the right next step for you? Here are three reasons why it may be:

Credit card interest rates are rising

Credit card interest rates are high and, this week, they broke a new record. Now at 23.37%, if you’re one of those with an average of around $8,000 in credit card debt, you’re likely struggling to make ends meet. Fortunately, multiple debt relief options can help relieve this burden. Credit card debt forgiveness is a popular alternative. With this option, borrowers can potentially qualify to have 30% to 50% of their existing debt forgiven. You’ll need to meet certain criteria but if the alternative is to simply let your current debt and interest compound at today’s rising rate, it could be worth exploring this November.

See if you qualify for forgiveness online now.

Rate cut relief will be gradual

The Federal Reserve issued its first rate cut in more than four years in September, reducing the federal funds rate by half a percentage point to a range between 4.75% to 5%. And additional cuts are predicted for when the Fed meets again in November and December. But unlike the September cut, most expect the Fed to cut rates by just 25 basis points in each of its final meetings of 2024. Combined with the September cut that will leave rates a total of just one percentage point lower than they were to start the year. 

And while a step in the right direction, it will be proof that rate cut relief will be gradual and, thus, unlikely to lead to any material benefit for those already stuck with high-interest debt. There’s also the possibility that the Fed could pause rate reductions, too, if any new economic data released causes it to reconsider action. So if you’re depending on this to help reduce your debt load, you may want to consider debt relief help instead.

The holidays are coming

It’s easy to get into debt but particularly now, just weeks away from the winter holiday season. During this time, Americans often spend more than usual and rely on existing credit options to get through the season. In 2022, for example, the average holiday debt rose to $1,550 – the highest level in eight years. And the forecast for this season is even higher, clocking in at $2,100 right now. Understanding this inevitability, it makes sense to start reducing your debt now. And with credit card debt forgiveness, debt management programs and debt consolidation loans viable ways to do so, many borrowers may want to act now before adding even more debt to their balance in the final months of the year.

The bottom line

If you’re stuck in debt and are unsure if it’s worth pursuing debt relief now, consider the above factors. With credit card interest rates rising, rate cut relief imminent but gradual and a looming holiday season in which overspending is common, this November could be the right time to pursue debt relief. Just be sure to explore all potential options and the ramifications for each to determine which is the best path toward regaining your financial freedom. 

Learn more about your best debt relief options here.