How much equity do I need?

Most home equity lenders cap combined loan-to-value at about 85% (cash-out at 80%), so you generally need to keep at least 15-20% equity in the home.

Will it touch my first mortgage?

A HELOC or home equity loan sits behind your existing mortgage and leaves its rate alone. Only a cash-out refinance replaces your first mortgage.

Home Equity With a 660 Credit Score

Home Equity With a 660 Credit Score is more doable than many homeowners assume. Below is what lenders actually require and how to put your strongest file forward.

The short answer

A 660 credit score is a solid mid-tier number that some lenders treat as a sweet spot, since a portion of HELOC programs set their floor right around 660. You should qualify for a home equity loan or HELOC at standard terms, though pricing improves further once you cross into the 680-700 range.

What home equity lenders look for

Equity: keep at least 15-20% — combined loan-to-value caps near 85% (cash-out at 80%).
Credit: roughly 620+ to qualify; 680+ unlocks the best HELOC pricing.
Debt-to-income: generally under ~43-50% including the new payment.
The right tool: a HELOC or home equity loan keeps your first mortgage; a cash-out refinance replaces it.

Rates and equity rules change. Join the free Cashout Equity alerts to hear when the numbers that affect this move.

Your next steps

Estimate your value and current balance to gauge equity, pull your credit, and get quotes from two or three lenders the same day. Then choose the product that fits — flexible (HELOC), fixed lump sum (home equity loan), or full refinance (cash-out).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Home Equity With a 660 Credit Score — is it possible in 2026?: A 660 credit score is a solid mid-tier number that some lenders treat as a sweet spot, since a portion of HELOC programs set their floor right around 660. You should qualify for a home equity loan or HELOC at standard terms, though pricing improves further once you cross into the 680-700 range.
How much equity do I need?: Most home equity lenders cap combined loan-to-value at about 85% (cash-out at 80%), so you generally need to keep at least 15-20% equity in the home.
Will it touch my first mortgage?: A HELOC or home equity loan sits behind your existing mortgage and leaves its rate alone. Only a cash-out refinance replaces your first mortgage.