JULY 2026 UPDATE
What Is a HELOC? Flexible Home Equity Options for Self-Employed Borrowers, Investors, and Retirees
Written and reviewed by Jeff Miller, Broker & CEO of Truss Financial Group, 25+ Years in Mortgage, NMLS #1276077.
A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a revolving credit line secured by the equity in your property. You can draw funds as needed up to your approved limit, repay the balance, and potentially borrow again during the draw period. Unlike a cash-out refinance, a HELOC generally allows you to preserve your existing first mortgage rather than replacing it.
Who may qualify through Truss Financial Group? TFG specializes in home equity options for borrowers whose income or property profile may not fit conventional bank guidelines. Depending on the program, self-employed borrowers may qualify using 12–24 months of personal or business bank statements instead of tax returns. Options may also be available for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties, with qualifying credit scores starting as low as 640 on select programs.
Need a streamlined HELOC? Eligible borrowers and properties may qualify for a digital valuation instead of a traditional interior appraisal. Certain digital HELOC applications can receive a decision within minutes and fund in as little as five business days, although appraisal requirements, documentation, title conditions, underwriting, and applicable waiting periods can extend the timeline.
Are you a real estate investor or homeowner aged 62 or older? Investors may be able to qualify using rental income, property cash flow, assets, or alternative documentation. Eligible homeowners aged 62 and older can also compare TFG’s Equity Select program, which is structured without required monthly mortgage payments, with conventional HELOC and reverse-mortgage alternatives.
As of July 15, 2026, the national average HELOC rate was 7.43%, according to Bankrate’s survey of major home-equity lenders. This is a national benchmark, not an advertised TFG rate, and the rate and terms available to an individual borrower depend on credit, equity, property type, documentation, loan amount, and program availability.
Our latest home-equity lending activity:
In June 2026, Truss Financial Group closed 179 HELOCs representing $36 million in total loan volume, with an average borrower FICO score of 726. Approximately 87% of these HELOCs were secured by primary residences, while 12% were secured by investment properties. Loans were funded across 24 states, reflecting demand from both homeowners and real estate investors seeking flexible access to their property equity.