Why do you want a HELOC? It is not some funny new pet. It is the acronym for Home Equity Line of Credit. There is a difference been this and a mortgage although both are loans. The difference is one is a lump amount that you receive and the other is establishing an amount that you can draw from.
Your loan is based on prime plus. This can have some very interesting enticements. The mortgage rate would be much higher so if you were to borrow on this credit to pay off the first mortgage, then the amount of interest you would pay is dramatically reduced, saving you money.
This may not be the case in the long run. If your credit amount is not going to be paid off for a number of years the interest may turn out to be very expensive for you. Perhaps your rate would be low now but prime has always been very volatile and you could end up paying much more interest than the mortgage would have cost.
Ask important questions when investigating this choice. The main worry is the interest rate. The variable prime can be a daily ride. When looking into this loan you find you are not given the rate you will be charged. It is important to ask. This may turn out to be a very expensive type of loan.
Needless to say the borrowing institution would like you to request a high amount for your line of credit. They want as much interest as they can. It is possible that they will establish a minimum so be sure to inquire. Paying interest on money that you are not using or need is not a good situation.
Typically there are fees. With this credit you have particular fees you must budget for in advance. There is usually an annual fee that they may waive for your first year. Should you cancel before a certain amount of years you pay a cancellation fee. In asking many questions you may be able to establish what it will truly cost you. It is important for you to know at the beginning that there may exist a special rate of interest, must you have an average balance, is there a margin, are you expected to take out a minimum, are there fees upfront for lender or third party, and what are the fees annually as well as the cancellation fee.
One thing to consider in your decision is that your line of credit is based on using your home equity. Therefore, the amount that the lender promised today may not be there for you to borrow when an economic crunch lowers your property value. This is a secured debt therefore you must remember that your property is at risk.