Home / HELOC / Fix the roof with equity, not with a panicked store card.
Updated September 2026
HELOC guide
Fix the roof with equity, not with a panicked store card.
A roof or an HVAC system is a defined bill. A HELOC works when you want the first mortgage left alone and the payment spread out. It is a bad fit when the job is small and the HELOC fees are almost as big as the compressor. Get the contractor's price in writing, then the HELOC math, then decide. Do not let the installer run credit until you know you need their financing. The line is only in our six states. A rental property can use the line or a DSCR cash-out. The broken equipment does not raise the home's value by the full invoice.
Sending a file is not an approval and not a credit pull. We text the same business day. We do not call. If we can structure it, we name the door. If we cannot, we say so.
The screen
| Choice | Fits when |
|---|---|
| HELOC | You may have more projects, or the bill is large |
| Contractor financing | The total cost, including a marked-up job, is truly lower |
| Cash-out | The first mortgage rate is not worth saving |
| Do nothing | The fee stack is silly for a small repair |
What we fund
- Primary homes that need one big repair
- A rental where the lease cannot start until the HVAC works
- Owners comparing two written offers
What we still need. Short list.
- The first mortgage balance, rate, and whether it can stay.
- A value we can support, and the cash you actually want.
- The property state. HELOC is only GA, FL, TN, AL, NC, and SC.
- Income path: full doc, bank statements, or rent on a DSCR HELOC.
Questions
Will the appraisal add the full cost of the roof?
Do not count on it. Value is market value, not your invoices.
Can I close the HELOC after I pay the roofer?
Yes if you accept the fees. See the short-borrow guide.
What if the house is mid-repair and will not appraise?
Say so. Condition can stall the value. Read the appraisal guide.
Related
These are the guidelines we screen. They are not a promise that your file hits the maximum. Credit-event seasoning, occupancy, and property condition still have to be confirmed. Not a commitment to lend. We text. We do not call.