Unlock Your Home Equity with Figure
- 100% online application—no in-person appraisal needed
- Pre-qualify in minutes; funding in as few as 5 days
- Borrow up to $400,000 with flexible terms
- Soft credit check—no impact on your score
One of the fastest ways to grow your real estate portfolio without saving for years is by leveraging the equity you already have—through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). This flexible, low-cost financing tool allows you to tap into your existing property’s value and redeploy it into new acquisitions, renovations, or even down payments for DSCR loans.
Whether you’re sitting on untapped equity in your primary residence, a rental, or even a vacation property, a HELOC can help you go from “equity rich” to “cash-flow rich” in record time.
What Is a HELOC?
A HELOC is a revolving credit line secured by the equity in a property. It works much like a credit card—giving you access to a pool of funds you can draw from as needed, pay down, and reuse during the draw period (usually 5–10 years).
Unlike a home equity loan (which is a lump-sum installment loan), a HELOC offers flexibility and interest-only payment options, which can improve your cash flow during active investment periods.
Why Investors Use HELOCs to Scale Quickly
For real estate investors, speed and liquidity are everything. A HELOC provides:
- Fast access to capital for deals, renovations, or emergencies
- Interest-only payments during the draw period (lower monthly costs)
- No need to refinance or sell your existing property
- Leverage without liquidation of other investments
- Flexible use of funds—down payments, repairs, marketing, or BRRRR projects
HELOC Use Cases in Rental Investing
- Fund a Down Payment
Use HELOC funds to cover 20–25% down payments on a new DSCR-financed rental. This helps you preserve your liquidity while acquiring more doors. - Renovate or Stabilize a Property
Tackle value-add upgrades that increase rent and ARV. Investors using BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) often use HELOCs as rehab capital. - Bridge Financing
HELOCs work well to cover short-term gaps—like earnest money, closing costs, or temporary holding expenses before a refinance. - Scale Into STRs or Multifamily
Enter more competitive markets by using HELOC funds to move quickly on short-term rental acquisitions, small multifamily deals, or mixed-use assets.
Pros and Cons of Using a HELOC to Scale
Pros:
✅ Access capital quickly without selling assets
✅ Lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards
✅ Reusable and revolving—perfect for ongoing investments
✅ May be tax-deductible if used for rental property improvements (consult a CPA)
Cons:
❌ Variable interest rates can rise over time
❌ Secured against your property—default risk applies
❌ May require a strong credit score and stable income
❌ Not all lenders allow HELOCs on rental or investment properties
Unlock Your Home Equity with Figure
- 100% online application—no in-person appraisal needed
- Pre-qualify in minutes; funding in as few as 5 days
- Borrow up to $400,000 with flexible terms
- Soft credit check—no impact on your score
Where to Get a HELOC for Real Estate Investing
- Primary residence HELOC (most common, best terms)
- Rental property HELOC (less common, higher rates)
- Portfolio lenders or credit unions (more flexible underwriting)
- Online lenders like Figure (fast approvals, investor-friendly terms)
Tip: Some lenders allow HELOCs on LLC-owned properties, though you may need to sign a personal guarantee.
HELOC vs Cash-Out Refinance: Which Is Better?
| Feature | HELOC | Cash-Out Refi |
| Access to Funds | Revolving line of credit | Lump sum |
| Monthly Payments | Interest-only (draw period) | Full P&I payments |
| Closing Time | Often faster (1–3 weeks) | May take 3–6 weeks |
| Affects Existing Loan | No change | Replaces your mortgage |
| Best For | Flexibility, multiple uses | One-time cash needs |
If you plan to reuse capital across multiple deals—or want to avoid refinancing a low-rate loan—HELOCs are often the better tool.
Example: Using a HELOC to Buy 2 Rentals in 6 Months
Investor Alex owns a primary home with $200K in equity. He opens a $150K HELOC and uses $50K as a down payment on a turnkey duplex. Two months later, he taps another $40K to fund renovations on a BRRRR deal. Within six months, he’s added two properties and $1,500/month in cash flow—all without draining his savings.
Final Thoughts
In today’s market, having flexible access to capital can give you the edge you need to scale faster. A HELOC is one of the most powerful (and underutilized) tools in an investor’s toolbox—especially when paired with DSCR loans or BRRRR strategies.
Just remember: a HELOC is still debt. Use it wisely, and treat it like an investment vehicle—not a blank check.
Unlock Your Home Equity with Figure
- 100% online application—no in-person appraisal needed
- Pre-qualify in minutes; funding in as few as 5 days
- Borrow up to $400,000 with flexible terms
- Soft credit check—no impact on your score
Our advise is based on experience in the mortgage industry and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of owning a home. We may receive compensation from partner banks when you view mortgage rates listed on our website.
