Disclaimer: The prime rate directly influences the rates on HELOCs and home equity loans.
Key Points
• Home equity loan rates in Seattle are determined by your credit score and your debt-to-income ratio, as well as larger economic factors.
• You can prepare to secure the best rates by building your credit score to 700 and getting your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio under 36%.
• Even a small difference in your home equity loan interest rate can add up to substantial savings — or spending — over the life of the loan.
• The interest you’ll pay on a home equity loan may be tax-deductible if you use the money to fund improvements to your property.
• Other options, including HELOCs and cash-out refinances, are out there, and each comes with its own perks and quirks.
What is a home equity loan? It’s a loan option used by many homeowners to relieve some of the pressure when they need cash, and a smart way to access the value you’ve built in your home.
Here we will cover everything you need to know about home equity loans, including factors affecting loan rates and strategies for getting the very best rates available in Seattle. We’ll also explain the different types of home equity loans, such as home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and cash-out refinances. When you’ve finished reading, you’ll be aware of multiple alternatives and their pros and cons.
Whether you’ve decided to gear up for a long-awaited home renovation, you’re planning to consolidate high-interest debt you’ve accumulated, or you’re preparing to make a major purchase for your family, having a good understanding of Seattle home equity loan rates can help you make the best financial decisions for your future.
A home equity loan is a second mortgage that allows you to tap into your home’s equity and turn it into a lump sum of cash. You then repay it over a period of five to 30 years and usually in fixed monthly installments. The loan may allow you access to lower interest rates than you would get with an unsecured personal loan, since it is secured by your home.
One key thing you need to understand: To draw on the equity in your home, you first need to have equity in your home. You may still be working to pay off your mortgage, but the money you owe should not be more than the house is worth. Generally, lenders will expect you to have 20% equity in your home at a minimum in order to qualify for a home equity loan.
Check out this comparison of the two financing options you can use to draw equity out of your home.
| HELOC | Home Equity Loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolving line of credit | Installment loan |
| Interest Rate | Usually variable-rate | Usually fixed-rate |
| Repayment | Repay only what you borrow plus interest; you may have the option to make interest-only payments during the draw period. | Starts immediately at a set monthly payment |
| Disbursement | Charge only the amount you need | Lump sum |
If you’ve been paying your mortgage consistently and on time, and you’re now wondering how to get equity out of your home, a home equity loan may be an option for you.
Multiple factors drive what home equity loan rates in and near Seattle look like. These are not just constantly in-flux, big-picture economic conditions, but also variables within your individual financial profile.
Federal Reserve policies impact lenders’ base rates. For example, adjustments to the federal funds rate sends ripples through the lending market and impacts the prime rate. When the prime rate moves higher or lower, so do home equity loan rates. Understanding these influences can enable a borrower to anticipate rate fluctuations, and that will help you make informed decisions about all different kinds of home loans, including home equity loans.
Your credit score and debt-to-income ratio are two numbers that can strongly influence the rates lenders will offer you. The amount of your loan and the length of your repayment term will factor into the rate you get, too. The larger the loan and the longer the term, generally, the higher your rate will be, due to the increased risk lenders take on.
Whether you are shopping for a home equity loan or a HELOC, your interest rate will be a major factor determining the affordability of your loan. You’ll want to do due diligence to find the best rate possible. As of late July 2025, the average home equity loan interest rate was 8.25%.
This chart shows you the interest rate, monthly payment, and total interest figures for a $75,000 home equity loan with a 20-year term, calculating the payments and the interest to be paid at various interest rates. If you have a rate of 8.00%, your monthly payment would be $627, and you’d pay $75,559 in interest over the loan term. If your rate is just one percentage point lower, at 7.00%, your monthly payment would be $581, and interest would total $64,554. The lower rate could save you $11,005 in interest over the life of the loan!
| Interest Rate | Monthly Payment | Total Interest Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 8.00% | $627 | $75,559 |
| 7.50% | $604 | $70,007 |
| 7.00% | $581 | $64,554 |
Considering a HELOC vs. a home equity loan? Know that the latter tends to have a fixed interest rate, so monthly payments will stay the same for the length of the loan. Fixed rates can and often do start off higher than adjustable rates, but they’re usually still the best choice, because of their stability. With a fixed rate, you can feel confident knowing that your payments won’t suddenly spike.
Adjustable rates tend to look attractive at first glance, but after a defined period, they “adjust” to follow a market index. They may jump higher than the initial rate. Since rates may fluctuate over the life of an adjustable-rate loan, the future of your payments is truly unpredictable.
Deciding between the two kinds of rates? Think carefully about the flexibility of your budget and how much risk you are comfortable with. With any loan, you need to plan well and keep in mind that it can impact your long-term financial goals.
If you are looking for options to help you get equity out of your home, you can attempt to time your loan application to achieve the lowest possible rate. But predicting the prime rate is like playing a slot machine, and lucky hits are elusive. Unfortunately, not all borrowers will have time to wait for a prime rate dip. It regularly rises and falls, as you can see from the graphic.
| Date | Prime Rate |
|---|---|
| 9/19/2024 | 8.00% |
| 7/27/2023 | 8.50% |
| 5/4/2023 | 8.25% |
| 3/23/2023 | 8.00% |
| 2/2/2023 | 7.75% |
| 12/15/2022 | 7.50% |
| 11/3/2022 | 7.00% |
| 9/22/2022 | 6.25% |
| 7/28/2022 | 5.50% |
| 6/16/2022 | 4.75% |
| 5/5/2022 | 4.00% |
| 3/17/2022 | 3.50% |
| 3/16/2020 | 3.25% |
| 3/4/2020 | 4.25% |
| 10/31/2019 | 4.75% |
| 9/19/2019 | 5.00% |
| 8/1/2019 | 5.25% |
| 12/20/2018 | 5.50% |
| 9/27/2018 | 5.25% |
Take a few key steps before you begin working on your application, and without a doubt, you’ll be better positioned to land a home equity loan — not just that, but a loan with rates and terms that are manageable and beneficial. Here’s what you can do:
You will need at least 20% equity in your home if you want to qualify for a home equity loan. Calculate what you’ve got with this simple equation: Subtract your outstanding mortgage balance from your home’s estimated value, then divide the answer by that same estimated value figure. You’ll arrive at the percentage of equity you possess. (The higher the better!)
A top credit score is also necessary when you’re trying to land the best home equity loan rate. Lenders look for scores of 680 or higher. The higher your credit score, the more easily you can access appealing loan terms. Borrowers with credit scores above 700 often score the best rates.
To improve your score, make timely payments on your bills, reduce your credit card balances, and steer clear of acquiring new debt. Your chances of qualifying for a home equity loan with a favorable interest rate will grow.
Another strategy is to improve your DTI ratio. Lenders like to see a DTI ratio of 50% or less, and they are particularly on the lookout for one that is 36% or lower. Manage your DTI effectively and you’ll increase your chances of qualifying for lower interest rates. Work to pay down your existing debt, increase your income, or both.
It’s a must-have to nail down solid insurance on your property if you want to qualify for a home equity loan. This is the safety net that will protect both you and your lender should damage to your home strike. Coverage must be active and comprehensive, so keep it up to date.
Online tools and calculators can really be helpful when you’re looking for the best home equity loan rates. Try out multiple tools, including a home equity loan calculator, which will let you figure out the loan amount you’ll likely qualify for.
Enter a few details about your home loan and we’ll provide you your maximum home equity loan amount.
Punch in your HELOC amount and we’ll estimate your monthly payment amount for your HELOC.
Use SoFI’s HELOC interest calculator to estimate how much monthly interest you’ll pay .
Using the free calculators is for informational purposes only, does not constitute an offer to receive a loan, and will not solicit a loan offer. Any payments shown depend on the accuracy of the information provided.
Closing costs on home equity loans are something you should know about and factor in as you do your calculations. As a borrower, you’ll likely pay 2% to 5% of the loan amount at closing. This table shows how typical closing costs break down.
| Service | Typical Fees |
|---|---|
| Appraisal | $300-$500 |
| Credit report | $30-$50 or more |
| Document preparation | $100-$500 (may be billed on an hourly basis if attorney involvement is required, or built into the loan origination fee) |
| Loan origination | 0.5%-1.0% of the loan amount |
| Notary | $20-$100 |
| Title insurance | 0.5%-1.0% of the loan amount |
| Title search | $75-$250 or more |
Some lenders offer no-closing-cost loans. Examine other terms with vigilance. The products frequently come with higher interest rates attached, and those will be part of your life for the long term.
The interest you will pay on a home equity loan in Seattle may be tax-deductible if you are going to use the funds to improve your home. Single filers may take deductions on interest paid on the first $375,000 in loan debt. Married couples filing jointly can deduct interest on up to $750,000 in debt. You’ll have to itemize expenses to take these deductions. A tax advisor can help you understand more about how home equity loan interest writeoffs work.
If you are unsure about using a home equity loan to draw equity from your home, you have some other options. You may want to consider a home equity line of credit or HELOC vs. a home equity loan.
Another choice you have is called a cash-out refinance. Want to learn even more about a cash-out refinance vs. a home equity line of credit? These products have similarities and differences. It’s smart to know what they are so you can understand the options and choose with confidence.
What is a home equity line of credit? A HELOC works a lot like a credit card. It offers homeowners the freedom to borrow up to a set limit and then pay interest on just the money they use. You can usually pull out funds during the initial “draw” period. That phase is followed by a repayment period when you repay the interest plus the principal.
Unlike home equity loans, HELOCs are about flexibility, and their rates tend to be adjustable. But an adjustable interest rate means that your rate and payments may change, potentially impacting your costs later Qualifying for a HELOC will usually require a credit score of 680 or higher, and borrowers with 700-plus scores win when it comes to great rates. A strong DTI ratio will also help you — under 50% is the goal (aim for below 36% to be a shoo-in). With a HELOC, you can most likely borrow up to 90% of your accrued home equity.
Wondering what your payment might be on a hypothetical HELOC? Running your variables through a HELOC monthly payment calculator. Playing around with different interest rates and terms will reveal how they might affect your payments, and ultimately show you how much of a loan you can afford. If you just want to calculate the interest you’d pay during the HELOC’s “draw” period, check out a HELOC interest-only calculator.
This option is a type of mortgage refinance. You swap your original mortgage for a larger one and receive the difference in a lump sum. Rates on cash-out refis may be fixed or adjustable, and it can be easier to qualify for a cash-out refi than for a home equity loan or a HELOC. Lender standards vary, but cash-out refis often require a 620 minimum credit score and a DTI ratio of 43% or less.
It’s a smart move to study up on the key factors that drive loan rates if you are thinking about pursuing a home equity loan in Seattle. Your credit score, DTI ratio, and amount of accrued equity will all play a role in your eligibility and the terms you can qualify for. Shopping around can also help you get a great rate, so do that no matter what. If a home equity loan isn’t your top choice, remember that HELOCs and cash-out refinances have unique benefits as well.
SoFi now offers home equity loans. Access up to 85%, or $350,000, of your home’s equity. Enjoy lower interest rates than most other types of loans. Cover big purchases, fund home renovations, or consolidate high-interest debt. You can complete an application in minutes.
Unlock your home’s value with a home equity loan from SoFi.
Some popular reasons to pursue home equity loans are to pay for home improvements or to consolidate high-interest debt. If you decide to apply for one, remember to think about whether a home equity loan fits into your bigger financial picture. And make firm plans to use the funds wisely.
With a $50,000 home equity loan, your monthly payment can vary. Any loan payment depends not only on the amount of the loan, but the interest rate and the loan term. For example, this loan, if you got a 7.00% interest rate and a 15-year term, would require a monthly payment of about $449. At a 9.00% interest rate over 15 years, the payment would be around $507. A loan calculator can help you quickly crunch the monthly payments with a variety of variables.
A few important factors could get in the way. First, lenders typically require a minimum credit score of around 680, and having a lower one may disqualify you from securing a home equity loan. A high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio – usually over 50% – might get between you and your loan. If you have less than 20% equity in your home, that could also be a red flag for lenders, who will look at how stable your home’s value is and how comprehensive your property insurance is, too. Qualifications vary among lenders, but these are common concerns.
Home equity loans often carry fixed interest rates, and therefore have predictable monthly payments, which makes a borrower’s budgeting easier. These loans’ rates also tend to be lower than those on unsecured personal loans, so they can be a more cost-effective option for significant one-time expenses, such as home improvements or debt consolidations. Always balance the benefits with the potential risks, though —like the fact that home equity loans leave you at risk of a home foreclosure if you fall behind on payments.
SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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