Finding a Secured Line of Credit with the Best Features

A secured line of credit is a good option for people who have sufficient equity built up in their homes but are cash strapped. When unavoidable expenses arise, you may find it difficult to raise funds to meet these needs quickly. Taking a loan from another source may prove prohibitively expensive unless it is collateralize. A secured credit line is the answer to these problems.   You can get a secured line of credit from your bank against your house or property. The bank establishes a credit limit up to which you can withdraw funds during the term of the credit line. This lets you arrange for finances to fund large future expenses like education or home renovation. When you sign up for a secured credit line, you should consider the following features.   Competitive and adjustable interest rates  In addition to comparing interest rates with other banks to find the most favorable one, you can also ask for more control over these rates with your secured credit line. Typically, credit lines come with adjustable rates that move in line with market interest rates. Some banks may allow you to set aside a portion of the credit balances and lock in a fixed rate on them. This feature is very useful in times of volatile interest rates when a hike in rates can significantly increase the monthly interest payments.

   Easy withdrawal  Ensure that your bank offers easy withdrawal methods for your credit line. Having a number of means of withdrawal gives you maximum flexibility in using these funds. Check with your banker if you can make cash withdrawals, debit directly to this credit line when you make purchases, make online transfers to and from the credit line or write special checks with zero extra charges.   Renewal option  Some secured lines of credit do not have any option for renewing the credit once the initial ‘withdrawal period’ is over. Check with your bank if your credit line can be renewed at this point. Another aspect to check is whether you can avail of credit that you have used as soon as you pay it off. This makes it easy to keep a substantial sum ready for use at all times.   Convenient management and review  Check with your bank about reviewing your credit line online whenever you need to in addition to the monthly statements you receive. Also check if you can transfer funds into it as and when you choose. Ensure that no penalties are charged for extra deposits that you may wish to make towards the outstanding credit balances you hold. This helps you stay in control of this credit so that you always know exactly how much you can draw on.

   A secured line of credit can be used to meet many critical and unavoidable expenses that are likely to arise in future. It is a good way to arrange for finances without incurring a huge debt or paying substantial amounts by way of interest payments.