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HELOC Requirements: What You Need to Qualify

Thinking about a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)? Here’s what lenders look for when determining your eligibility—and how you can check if you qualify in minutes.

Basic HELOC Requirements

To qualify for a HELOC, most borrowers will need:

  • A minimum credit score of 600+
  • Sufficient home equity (typically up to 80% CLTV)
  • A stable income and employment history
  • A qualifying debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
  • An eligible property type

See if you qualify in minutes with no impact to your credit score.

Credit Score Requirements for a HELOC

Most HELOC programs require a minimum FICO score of 600, but higher scores may qualify you for:

  • Lower interest rates
  • Higher borrowing limits
  • Better overall loan terms

Typical Credit Tiers:

  • 720+ â†’ Best rates and maximum borrowing power
  • 640–719 â†’ Strong eligibility
  • 600–639 â†’ Minimum qualifying range

How Much Equity Do You Need? (CLTV Explained)

Your borrowing limit is based on your Combined Loan-to-Value (CLTV)—the total of your mortgage + HELOC compared to your home’s value.

Most borrowers can access up to:

  • 80% CLTV for primary residences
  • Lower limits may apply based on credit score or property type

Example:

If your home is worth $500,000:

  • Max CLTV (80%) = $400,000
  • Existing mortgage = $300,000
  • Potential HELOC = $100,000

Debt-to-Income (DTI) Requirements

Your DTI ratio measures your monthly debt payments compared to your income.

Most HELOC approvals require:

  • DTI up to ~45%
  • Higher DTI may be allowed with strong credit and reserves

Lenders may also allow debt consolidation to help improve your DTI.

Eligible Property Types

HELOCs are available for a variety of property types, including:

  • Primary residences
  • Second homes
  • Investment properties (may have stricter guidelines)

Eligible property types include:

  • Single-family homes
  • Condominiums
  • Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)

Loan Amount Requirements

Typical HELOC loan amounts include:

  • Minimum loan amount: $25,000
  • Maximum loan amount: up to $750,000 (based on qualifications)

Your exact amount depends on:

  • Home value
  • Mortgage balance
  • Credit profile
  • Income

How Fast Can You Qualify?

You can check your eligibility in just a few minutes with:

  • No paperwork upfront
  • No in-person appointments
  • No impact to your credit score

See If You Qualify in Minutes

Find out how much you can borrow and what rate you qualify for—fast and easy.

Estimate Your Borrowing Power