Pennymac Home Equity Loan Review 2024
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Our Take
4.5
Pennymac’s home equity loan stands out for an 85% borrowing limit, a generous amount compared with some competitors, and an application process guided by a loan specialist. However, you’ll have to get a home appraisal in order to proceed.
Pros
- Homeowners can borrow up to 85% of the equity in their homes.
- Repayment terms range from 10 to 30 years.
- No penalty for early repayment.
Cons
- Application fee and appraisal required.
- Home equity loan rates aren’t published online.
- Borrower must contact a loan representative to complete an application.
Full Review
Pennymac home equity loan rates and discounts
Most home equity loan interest rates are indexed to a base rate called the prime rate. Your offered rate will include a margin the lender has added to the prime rate. Offered margins depend largely on factors like your credit score, your existing debt, your income and the amount you wish to borrow. They will vary by lender.
Current prime rate | Prime rate last week | Prime rate in the past year — low | Prime rate in the past year — high |
|---|---|---|---|
8.50%. | 8.50%. | 8.0%. | 8.50%. |
Pennymac does not publish home equity loan rates online, so you’ll have to contact the lender for customized rates.
The lender does not offer a promotion or discount that could lower home equity loan rates.
Applying for a Pennymac home equity loan
To apply, click “Get Started” on the Pennymac home equity loan page, which will bring up a contact form. You can fill that out and submit it, or you can call the number listed on the form. You can also request a call back and even schedule a time for the call. A loan representative then will guide you through the home equity loan application process. Pennymac offers a live chat to help answer questions, but you’ll need to be a current customer signed into your account to access the chat.
Pennymac says it takes less than 30 days from application to closing the home equity loan, and borrowers can track the progress of their loans online. Among the lenders we surveyed, that time ranged from five to 48 days. The lender requires a home appraisal to independently determine the value of your home. Pennymac says borrowers should expect a home appraisal to cost $600 to $1,000 to complete. Not all lenders we surveyed require an appraisal ahead of a home equity loan.
Pennymac charges an application fee of $500. Some home equity loan lenders do not charge this fee.
What you should know about Pennymac home equity loans
Pennymac allows qualified homeowners to borrow up to 85% of the equity in their homes, a generous percentage compared with some of its competitors. The lender says closing costs typically vary based on factors that include property location and loan amount. There is no penalty for paying off the loan early.
Pennymac offers home equity loans with terms of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years. Competitors we surveyed offer home equity loans with payback periods ranging from five to 30 years. And while some competitors offer home equity loans for second homes and investment properties, Pennymac does not.
Pennymac home equity loans are not available in Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont. Borrowers seeking a home equity loan will need a credit score of at least 680, the lender says.
» MORE: Best home equity loan lenders
Alternatives to a Pennymac home equity loan
For borrowers seeking flexible terms, Network Capital offers a home equity loan with terms from 10 to 30 years, and Rocket Mortgage allows borrowers looking to borrow a large portion of their home equity to access 90% of their home’s equity.
Home equity loans let homeowners access a lump sum by converting equity into debt. You’ll repay the loan at a fixed interest rate over an agreed period of time. Alternatives to a home equity loan include a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a cash-out refinance. HELOCs offer greater flexibility to withdraw funds, up to the credit limit, as needed, but often have adjustable interest rates. A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a larger loan. It will be most appealing if mortgage rates are lower than your current rate, and closing costs will apply.
Pennymac offers a cash-out refinance option but no home equity line of credit (HELOC).
NerdWallet’s home equity loan star ratings are awarded by the editorial team based on the following evaluated factors: available terms, maximum combined loan-to-value ratio, closing costs and other fees, whether a prepayment penalty applies, ease of rate shopping and ease of application.
