A home-equity loan, also known as a second mortgage, lets homeowners borrow money by leveraging the equity in their homes. Home-equity loans exploded in popularity in the late 1980s, as they provided a way to somewhat circumvent the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which eliminated deductions for the interest on most consumer purchases. With a home-equity loan, homeowners could borrow up to $100,000 and still deduct all of the interest when they file their tax returns.

The problem for homeowners is that this tax-deduction bliss did not last. The new tax legislation just passed in Dec. 2017 removed the home-equity loan tax deduction between 2018 and the end of 2025, except if you use the money for home renovations (the phrase is "buy, build or substantially improve" the home). There are still other good reasons to take home-equity loans, such as relatively low interest rates compared to other loans, but a tax deduction may no longer be one of them.

Here we go over how these loans work now and how they may pose both benefits and pitfalls.

Two Types of Home-Equity Loans

Home-equity loans come in two varieties – fixed-rate loans and lines of credit – and both types are available with terms that generally range from five to 15 years. Another similarity is that both types of loans must be repaid in full if the home on which they are borrowed is sold.

Fixed-Rate Loans
Fixed-rate loans provide a single, lump-sum payment to the borrower, which is repaid over a set period of time at an agreed-upon interest rate. The payment and interest rate remain the same over the lifetime of the loan.
Home-Equity Lines of Credit
A home-equity line of credit (HELOC) is a variable-rate loan that works much like a credit card and, in fact, sometimes comes with one. Borrowers are pre-approved for a certain spending limit and can withdraw money when they need it via a credit card or special checks. Monthly payments vary based on the amount of money borrowed and the current interest rate. Like fixed-rate loans, the HELOC has a set term. When the end of the term is reached, the outstanding loan amount must be repaid in full.

Benefits for Consumers

Home-equity loans provide an easy source of cash. The interest rate on a home-equity loan – although higher than that of a first mortgage – is much lower than on credit cards and other consumer loans. As such, the number-one reason consumers borrow against the value of their homes via a fixed-rate home-equity loan is to pay off credit card balances (according to bankrate.com). By consolidating debt with a home-equity loan, consumers get a single payment and a lower interest rate – though, alas, no more tax benefits.

Benefits for Lenders

Home-equity loans are a dream come true for a lender. After earning interest and fees on the borrower's initial mortgage, the lender earns even more interest and fees (assuming one goes to the same lender) on the home-equity debt. If the borrower defaults, the lender gets to keep all the money earned on the initial mortgage and all the money earned on the home-equity loan; plus the lender gets to repossess the property, sell it again and restart the cycle with the next borrower. From a business-model perspective, it's tough to think of a more attractive arrangement.

The Right Way to Use a Home-Equity Loan

Home-equity loans can be valuable tools for responsible borrowers. If you have a steady, reliable source of income and know that you will be able to repay the loan, its low interest rate makes it a sensible alternative. Fixed-rate home-equity loans can help cover the cost of a single, large purchase, such as a new roof on your home or an unexpected medical bill. And the HELOC provides a convenient way to cover short-term, recurring costs, such as the quarterly tuition for a four-year degree at a college.

Recognizing Pitfalls

The main pitfall associated with home-equity loans is that they sometimes seem to be an easy solution for a borrower who may have fallen into a perpetual cycle of spending, borrowing, spending and sinking deeper into debt. Unfortunately, this scenario is so common the lenders have a term for it: reloading, which is basically the habit of taking a loan in order to pay off existing debt and free up additional credit, which the borrower then uses to make additional purchases.

Reloading leads to a spiraling cycle of debt that often convinces borrowers to turn to home-equity loans offering an amount worth 125% of the equity in the borrower's house.

This type of loan often comes with higher fees because, as the borrower has taken out more money than the house is worth, the loan is not secured by collateral. (Find out how to determine whether refinancing will put you ahead or even more behind. Read "How Refinancing Affects Your Net Worth.)

If you are contemplating a loan that is worth more than your home, it might be time for a reality check. Were you unable to live within your means when you owed only 100% of the value of your home? If so, it will likely be unrealistic to expect that you'll be better off when you increase your debt by 25%, plus interest and fees. This could become a slippery slope to bankruptcy.

Another pitfall may arise when homeowners take out a home-equity loan to finance home improvements. While remodeling the kitchen or bathroom generally adds value to a house, improvements such as a swimming pool may be worth more in the eyes of the homeowner than in the market. If you're going into debt to make changes to your house, try to determine whether the changes add enough value to cover their costs.

Paying for a child's college education is another popular reason for taking out home-equity loans. But especially if the borrowers are nearing retirement, they need to determine how the loan may affect their ability to accomplish their goals. It may be wise for near-retirement borrowers to seek out other options.

Key Takeaways

  • The new tax legislation just passed in Dec. 2017 removed the home-equity loan tax deduction between 2018 and the end of 2025, except if you use the money for home renovations (the phrase is "buy, build or substantially improve" the home).
  • Home-equity loans come in two varieties—fixed-rate loans and lines of credit—both types are available with terms that generally range from five to 15 years.
  • The main pitfall associated with home-equity loans is that they sometimes seem to be an easy solution for a borrower who may have fallen into a perpetual cycle of spending, borrowing, spending, and sinking deeper into debt.

Should You Tap Your Home's Equity?

Food, clothing and shelter are life's basic necessities, but only shelter can be leveraged for cash. Despite the risk involved, it is easy to be tempted into using home equity to splurge on discretionary items. To avoid the pitfalls of reloading, conduct a careful review of your financial situation before you borrow against your home. Make sure that you understand the terms of the loan and have the means to make the payments without compromising other bills and comfortably repay the debt on or before its due date.

(For a one-stop shop on subprime mortgages and the subprime meltdown, check out our Subprime Mortgages Feature.)