Rates on home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans remain broadly stable following the Federal Reserve’s second rate pause in 2026. The prime rate is unchanged and rates on second mortgages remain near their three-year lows.
According to real estate analysis firm Curinos, the average HELOC rate is 7.20%. The HELOC’s 52-week low was 7.19% in mid-January. The national average home equity loan rate is 7.47%with a low of 7.38% recorded in early December 2025.
Rates are based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio of less than 70%.
With primary mortgage rates hovering around 6%, homeowners with equity and a low primary mortgage rate may not be able to access the increasing value of their home. For those unwilling to give up their low home loan rate, a home equity line of credit or home equity loan can be a great solution.
Home equity interest rates are different from primary mortgage rates. Second mortgage rates are based on an index rate plus a margin. That index is usually the prime rate, which has just fallen to 6.75%. If a lender added 0.75% as margin, the HELOC would have a rate of 7.50%.
Lenders have flexibility with the pricing of a second mortgage product, like a HELOC or home equity loan, so it’s worth shopping around. Your rate will depend on your credit score, the amount of debt you have, and the size of your line of credit compared to the value of your home.
And average national HELOC rates may include “introductory” rates that may last only six months or a year. After that, your interest rate will be adjustable, probably starting with a substantially higher rate.
HELs typically don’t have upfront fees, so that’s one less variable to deal with. The fixed rate you earn with a home equity loan will not change over the life of the agreement.
You don’t have to give up your low-rate mortgage to access the equity in your home. Maintain your primary mortgage and consider a second mortgage, such as a home equity line of credit.
The best HELOC lenders offer low fees, a fixed-rate option, and generous lines of credit. A HELOC allows you to easily use your home equity in any way and in any amount you choose, up to the limit of your line of credit. Take out a little; return it. Repeat.
Meanwhile, you’re paying off your primary mortgage at low interest rates and earning even more equity to build wealth.
Today, LendingTree offers a HELOC APR as low as 6.23% on a $150,000 line of credit. However, remember that HELOCs typically have variable interest rates, meaning your rate will fluctuate periodically. Make sure you can afford the monthly payments if your rate increases.
The best home equity loan lenders may be easier to find because the fixed rate you earn will last the entire repayment period. That means just one rate to focus on. And you will receive a lump sum, so there are no withdrawal minimums to consider.
And as always, compare rates and the fine print of payment terms.
The national average for a HELOC is 7.20% and 7.47% for a home equity loan. However, rates vary from lender to lender. You may see rates from just under 6% to as high as 18%. It really depends on your creditworthiness and how diligent you are as a buyer.
For homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and some equity in their home, it’s probably one of the best times to get a HELOC or home equity loan. You don’t give up that great mortgage rate and you can use the cash withdrawn from your equity for things like home improvements, repairs and upgrades.
If you withdraw the entire $50,000 from a home line of credit and pay an interest rate of 7.25%, your monthly payment over the 10-year withdrawal period would be approximately $302. That sounds good, but remember that the rate is usually variable, so it changes periodically and your payments may increase over the 20-year repayment period. A HELOC essentially becomes a 30-year loan. HELOCs are better if you borrow and pay off the balance in a much shorter period.