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Average HELOC rate falls to 7.16%, while fixed home equity loans hit 7.35%
Curinos data show HELOC and fixed-rate home equity loan pricing both remain linked to the prime rate, with rates calculated using borrowers averaging a 780 minimum credit score and under 70% CLTV.
Housing finance rates for homeowners considering borrowing against home equity are pointing lower on the HELOC side, with the average adjustable-rate HELOC at 7.16%, a new 2026 low, according to Curinos data cited by Yahoo Finance.
Yahoo Finance also put the national average fixed-rate home equity loan rate at 7.35%, slightly higher than its 2026 low of 7.31% reported in late June, with both measures based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value ratio below 70%.
Both products generally incorporate a margin on top of the prime rate, which is tied to broader interest-rate conditions. The story notes HELOCs are typically variable-rate loans, while home equity loans are typically fixed-rate products, meaning the interest rate usually stays the same across the term.
The outlet also highlights that lenders evaluate borrower risk when setting pricing, considering factors including credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and loan-to-value ratio, and may charge origination fees and other closing costs.