A Home Equity Line of Credit allows property owners to borrow against the equity they have built in a property. Unlike a lump-sum home equity loan, a HELOC functions like a credit card with a draw period (usually 5-10 years) and a repayment period. Real estate investors frequently use HELOCs on their primary residence or existing rentals to fund down payments on new acquisitions, cover renovation costs, or bridge short-term cash flow gaps. The revolving nature means you can draw, repay, and draw again during the draw period.