canstar
canstar
A wooden scale with two money bags on the left end and a paper house on the right.
Source: William Potter/Shutterstock.com

What is a line of credit loan?

A line of credit loan usually refers to a home loan with a line of credit attached, allowing you to borrow additional money from your home loan lender without having to refinance. You may also be able to access a line of credit as part of a personal loan. While this loan feature is rare in today’s market, some lenders still offer them.

How does a line of credit loan work?

A line of credit home loan lets you use your home equity as a source of finance. Let’s say your home is worth $900,000 and you have a home loan balance of $400,000. This means you have $500,000 of home equity, and your lender may offer a line of credit to borrow against this.

A line of credit home loan acts as a revolving credit facility in much the same way as a credit card. Each time you reduce the balance, you regain access to the credit you can draw on.  However, the interest rate on the loan is typically lower than those offered on credit cards or personal loans.

A line of credit allows you to access funds without having to apply to the bank each time you want to borrow more. But the trade-off for doing so is that you no longer have that level of equity in your home loan, as you’ve borrowed against it.

Unlike a traditional home loan, a line of credit loan won’t usually have set monthly repayments. At a minimum, you’ll need to pay the interest charges and any fees that apply each month, and you can generally make extra payments at any time to help reduce the balance owing.

Bear in mind, a line of credit is one of many ways to access the equity in your property. Other options include a redraw facility or home loan refinancing. These could all be worth a look – especially if you’re not confident about having the discipline to manage a line of credit loan.

What can I use a line of credit loan for?

Depending on the rules of the lender, a line of credit loan can be used to:

  • Consolidate debt
  • Buy an investment property
  • Invest in other assets
  • Buy land
  • Renovate your home
  • Pay for personal expenses, like your children's education costs

Your lender may specify things that a line of credit loan cannot be used to pay for. This could include business purposes or off-the-plan property purchases.

It’s important to keep in mind this type of loan comes with fees and charges, as well as limitations. It’s a good idea to read any important information carefully and weigh up your options before signing up.

How does a line of credit loan differ from other types of home loans? 

Principal and interest home loans

This is the most common form of loan and refers to how your repayments are made up, being split between paying down your loan balance and covering interest charges. By contrast, the line of credit on a home loan typically has no set repayments, and you may only be required to make interest payments at a minimum.

Interest-only home loans 

An interest-only loan is one where you only pay the interest charges on your loan balance. This is similar to a line of credit loan, though a key difference is many lenders only allow you to make interest-only repayments for a set period, after which you’ll usually be asked to revert to principal and interest payments. With a line of credit home loan, you may be able to make interest-only payments for a significant amount of time.

Construction loan

A construction loan can only be used to fund new building projects and major renovations. 

Does a line of credit loan cost more than a regular home loan? 

A home loan with a line of credit attached will generally cost more than a regular home loan, often through higher interest rates and ongoing fees. It’s important to shop around and compare lenders and their products, as rates and fees differ widely.

What are the pros and cons of line of credit loans? 

Pros

  • A flexible source of funding that lets you access more debt when needed
  • Flexible repayments mean you can make lump sum repayments whenever you have the funds available
  • You only pay interest on the funds you’ve used at any given time
  • Provides the opportunity to use your home equity for a variety of purposes – without having to sell your home

Cons

  • You may pay a higher interest rate, and potentially higher ongoing fees, compared to a standard home loan
  • Financial discipline is often required when managing a line of credit loan, as you won’t have the benefit of a set repayment schedule
  • You may need a reasonable sum of home equity to access this type of loan
  • The lender can impose restrictions on how the line of credit loan can be used, like disallowing drawn down funds to be used for business costs

As a Finance Writer, Nick provides assistance to Canstar's Editorial Team in its mission to empower consumers to take control of their finances. He has written hundreds of articles for Canstar across all key finance topics. Coming from a screenwriting background, Nick completed a Bachelor of Film, Television and New Media Production from Queensland University of Technology. Nick has also completed RG 146 (Tier 1), making him compliant to provide general advice for general insurance products like car, home, travel and health insurance, as well as giving him knowledge of investment options such as shares, derivatives, futures, managed investments, currencies and commodities.

Nick’s role at Canstar allows him to combine his love of the written word with his interest in finance, having learned the art of share trading from his late grandfather. Nick strives to deliver clear and straightforward content that helps the everyday consumer navigating the world of finance. Nick is also working on a TV series in his spare time. You can connect with Nick on LinkedIn.

Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

Fight back against rising costs

Stay on top of the news that counts when it comes to your bills. We’ll send you expert tips, insights and the stories that matter. Unsubscribe anytime.

By proceeding, you agree that Canstar Pty Ltd & its subsidiaries collect, handle, hold, use & disclose your personal information to provide services to you, including marketing, in accordance with our privacy policy which explains how you may exercise your privacy rights.

Follow us