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Paying off high-interest debt with a HELOC: what to weigh

Lower-cost secured debt can help — if you plan for the trade-offs.

By Daniel Becerril, Executive Branch Manager, NMLS #2388968 · Updated October 21, 2026

The idea

Some homeowners use a HELOC to pay off higher-interest unsecured debt, such as credit cards, and repay it over time.

The trade-off

A HELOC is secured by your home. Turning unsecured debt into secured debt puts the home on the line if payments become a problem.

Make a payoff plan

Set a repayment schedule you can keep, and avoid running card balances back up after paying them off.

Rate type

A variable rate can change. Ask about fixed-rate options for part of the balance if predictability matters to you.

Talk it through

Request options and Daniel will lay out what's available for your home.

General information only, not an offer, a commitment to lend, or tax or legal advice. Programs, guidelines and terms vary and change.

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