Home equity lines of credit can usually be canceled before they expire in return for a cancellation fee. The way that most home equity lines of credit function, there's typically a 10- to 20-year draw-down period during which money can be borrowed using home equity as security for the balance. Once that period ends, a payback period begins, during which the balance must be paid off. If you pay off the balance in full, you can close the line of credit early.
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Pay off the balance of your home equity line of credit in full. Don't wait too long before starting the cancellation process or you may incur inactivity fees on the account. Some home equity lines of credit charge an early repayment fee if you pay back the home equity line of credit before the draw down period expires.
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Contact your lender and explain your intention to cancel your home equity line of credit early. Ask if the lender has any incentives to offer you for closing the line of credit. In some cases, lenders want to reduce their customers' available lines of credit to insulate themselves from risk. In some cases, lenders have been known to offer incentive payments and to waive fees in return for their customers canceling their home equity lines of credit.
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Pay all relevant cancellation fees and request that the home equity line of credit be closed. If the account has been open for more than three years, the lender may waive the fee as a courtesy to you. Otherwise, expect to pay up to $500 to cancel the account early. The closure of the account will have a temporary minor negative effect on your credit report.
