Selling Your Home? Use a HELOC to Prepare

Selling your home? It’s a big milestone—and often a big expense. Between home repairs, staging, and transitional expenses, the financial demands can quickly add up. Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are a smart way to manage these costs while setting your home up for a profitable sale. Keep reading to learn six smart ways to use a HELOC when getting ready to put your house on the market.

What is a HELOC?

A HELOC, or home equity line of credit, allows you to borrow against your home’s equity. It works much like a credit card—you can draw funds as needed during the “draw period” and only pay interest on what you borrow. This makes HELOCs a great option for financing various costs associated with home-selling.

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell with a HELOC

Now, let’s look at how a HELOC can make selling your home less stressful—and potentially more profitable.

1. Home Renovations: Adding Value & Curb Appeal

Want to wow buyers? Invest in home improvements that increase your home’s value. Popular upgrades like modernizing the kitchen, remodeling the bathroom, or updating your landscaping can set your home apart.

For example, even simple changes like a fresh coat of paint or adding modern lighting fixtures can work wonders. According to a study by Remodeling Magazine, small kitchen renovations can recoup around 85% of their cost, while minor bathroom remodels can return about 70%. These upgrades make your home more appealing to buyers and will help you sell it for a higher price.

2. Stage Your Home

We all know first impressions matter, especially in real estate. Staging is proven to help homes sell faster and at higher prices. According to the National Association of Realtors, professionally staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% higher.

A HELOC can cover the cost of staging services, including renting furniture, décor, professional photography, and even virtual tours for your listing. These investments will make a lasting impression on potential buyers and help your property stand out in a competitive market.

3. Handle Last-Minute Repairs

Selling a home often comes with surprises—like repair requests after a buyer’s inspection. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or HVAC system, you may need to fix these issues quickly to keep the sale on track. To avoid scrambling or delays, use a HELOC to handle whatever unexpected costs come your way.

4. Improve Your Financial Profile

Here’s a tip that most homeowners don’t think about before selling: Consider a HELOC for paying off high-interest debts. Why? Lowering your debt-to-income ratio can improve your chances of getting approved for a mortgage on your next home.

For example, using a HELOC to consolidate credit card balances at a lower interest rate can lower your monthly payments and improve your financial appeal to lenders.

5. Bridge Financing During a Transition

If you buy another home before selling your current one, you may need money for a down payment, closing costs, or moving expenses. A HELOC can act as bridge financing, giving you access to the money you need while you wait for your current home to sell. This reduces stress and makes your transition between homes much easier.

6. Pay For Temporary Living Expenses

What if your home sells faster than expected, but your new place isn’t move-in ready? Whether you need to rent an apartment, pay for short-term storage, or cover hotel accommodations, these costs can add up. A HELOC helps you cover temporary living costs without dipping into your savings. With these funds available, you can take your sweet time finding a place that works best for you and your family without feeling rushed

Your Next HELOC at Academy Bank

Getting your home ready to sell doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A HELOC gives you financial flexibility to handle improvements, repairs, or other costs so you can maximize the value of your home and make a smooth transition to the next chapter.

Choose Academy Bank for your next home equity line of credit. When you apply for a HELOC with us, you can enjoy great benefits that make your home-selling process easier:

• Easy access to your funds
• Fixed introductory rate special for 6 months
• Borrow up to 85% of your home’s value
• Low minimum monthly payments

Get a HELOC today!

Want to know how much funding you might qualify for? Use our Home Equity Line of Credit Calculator to crunch numbers and explore your options.

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