Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Home Equity HELOCs North Dakota HELOC Rates and Lenders Updated Sep 23, 2024 10-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Sarah Sheehan, MAT Written by Sarah Sheehan, MAT Expertise: Tax planning, retirement planning, debt management Sarah Sheehan is a writer, educator, and analyst who focuses on the impact of health, gender, and geography on financial equity. Her ultimate goal? To live beyond the confines of chasing the next dollar—and to teach everyone else how to do the same. Learn more about Sarah Sheehan, MAT Reviewed by Gail Urban, CFP® Reviewed by Gail Urban, CFP® Expertise: Investment management, financial planning, financial analysis, estate planning, life insurance, student loan management, debt management, retirement planning, saving for college Gail Urban, CFP®, AAMS®, has been a licensed financial advisor since 2009, specializing in helping individuals. Before personal financial advising, she worked as a business financial manager in several industries for about 25 years. Learn more about Gail Urban, CFP® Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) let you use your equity like a high-limit credit card. You can borrow against your equity, pay down your balance, then borrow again. You want to find one with competitive rates and flexible draw requirements to maximize your HELOC. That’s where we come in. We’ve sought the best HELOC lenders so you don’t have to. Now, we’re bringing you the top choices for North Dakota homeowners. Keep reading for our recommendations. CompanyBest for…Rating (0-5) Best Overall 4.9 View Rates Best Customer Reviews 4.8 View Rates Best Credit Union 4.7 View Rates Best Marketplace 4.5 View Rates Reviews of the best online HELOCs in North Dakota Online lenders are the pinnacle of convenience. You can access your HELOC on any device, at any hour, from anywhere in the world. Some online HELOC lenders even offer virtual appraisals. If you’re looking for a tech-driven experience, check out these lenders: Figure Best Overall 4.9 /5 LendEDU Rating View Rates Why we picked it Figure is the best overall choice for HELOCs in North Dakota, offering competitive fixed rates. The company uses blockchain technology to streamline the application process, often resulting in funding within five days. This rapid turnaround, combined with clear and transparent terms, makes Figure an ideal option for homeowners needing quick access to their home equity. Whether you’re planning renovations, consolidating debt, or funding significant expenses, Figure’s efficiency and excellent customer service set it apart. Fixed interest rates No in-person appraisal is needed Option to redraw up to 100% of funds Funding can be available in as few as 5 days Check your rate without affecting your credit score Loan details Rates (APR)6.55% – 15.54%Loan amounts$15,000 – $400,000Draw period5 yearsRepayment term5, 10, 15, or 30 yearsFunding timeAs few as 5 daysPropertiesPrimary home, second home, or investment propertyCredit score640 Aven Best Customer Reviews 4.8 /5 LendEDU Rating View Rates Why we picked it Aven offers a solution for North Dakota homeowners looking to access their home equity through a HELOC. With fixed interest rates and a Lowest Rate Guarantee, you benefit from competitive and predictable monthly payments. Checking your rate doesn’t impact your credit score. North Dakota residents can enjoy a fully digital application process, with approval often taking just 15 minutes and funding available within three days. Fixed interest rates Lowest Rate Guarantee Optional debt protection through Securian Fully digital application process 3,600 5-star reviews on Trustpilot (as of September 2024) 3-day funding after signing Loan details Rates (APR)6.99% – 15.49%Loan amounts$5,000 – $250,000Draw period5 yearsRepayment terms5, 10, 15, or 30 yearsFunding time3 days from signingPropertiesAll typesMin. credit score640 Bethpage Best Credit Union 4.7 /5 LendEDU Rating View Rates Why we picked it Bethpage offers substantial HELOCs at a low fixed introductory rate for creditworthy borrowers. This makes it an excellent option for North Dakota homeowners who need significant borrowing limits. Bethpage’s large credit lines are perfect for major home renovations or other substantial expenses. With a straightforward application process, competitive rates, and a strong commitment to customer service, Bethpage provides the support and flexibility needed to access your home equity. Borrow $10,000 – $1 million No application, origination, or appraisal fees Convert part of your HELOC to a fixed-rate option 12-month fixed introductory rate for qualified borrowers $0 closing costs Loan details Rates (APR)6.99% for 12 months, then variableLoan amounts$10,000 – $1 millionDraw period10 yearsRepayment term5, 10, or 20 years LendingTree Best Marketplace 4.5 /5 LendEDU Rating View Rates Why we picked it LendingTree is a top platform for comparison shopping. For North Dakota residents, LendingTree’s extensive network of lenders and easy-to-use interface make comparing multiple HELOC offers simple. This allows homeowners to find the most competitive rates and terms tailored to their needs. LendingTree’s comprehensive comparison tools ensure you can make an informed decision and secure the best possible deal for accessing your home equity. Access to multiple lenders Comprehensive comparison tools Competitive rates Customizable loan options Loan details Rates (APR)Starting at 6.24%Loan amounts$10,000 – $2 millionDraw period2 – 20 yearsRepayment term5 – 30 yearsFunding timeVariesPropertiesVariesCredit scoreVaries, 620 advisable Local HELOCs in North Dakota Despite the benefits of online HELOCs, local lenders have the upper hand in one key area: in-person support. You likely won’t compromise much in the way of technology, either. These North Dakota credit unions blend modern lending with the hometown trust borrowers crave: CompanyStarting rates (APR)LocationCapital Credit Union7.99%Fargo area and Central NDTown & Country Credit Union8.25%Fargo area and Northwest NDWestern Cooperative Credit UnionUndisclosedWestern NDNorth Star Community Credit UnionUndisclosedCentral and Northeast ND Looking through these lenders, you’re probably already taking note of which ones work with borrowers in your community and which don’t. In addition to geographic service area, you’ll also want to consider each lender’s: Membership criteria Draw period length Initial draw requirements Fixed-rate conversion options You need to weigh each lender’s APR, as well. Along those lines, you might notice that only two of these lenders publish their starting APRs. In our research, we found that many North Dakota-based lenders don’t share their APRs publicly. That doesn’t necessarily mean that those options aren’t worth considering. However, if you’re torn between lenders and your potential APR is the deciding factor, it’s worth contacting those lenders directly for more information. What’s the difference between online and local HELOCs in North Dakota? Compared to local HELOCs, online HELOCs lean more on technology. That could be a benefit or a drawback, depending on your preferences. However, this isn’t the only difference between each HELOC type. Here’s a closer look at each one: OnlineLocalApplicationsOnlineOnline, in-personAppraisalsDigital or traditionalTraditionalAccount mgmt. optionsWebsite, appWebsite, app, in-personIn-person customer support?✖️✔️After-hours support?UsuallySometimes Online lenders provide borrowers with multiple digital tools to access and manage their HELOCs. Because these tools don’t require a visit to a brick-and-mortar bank, online lenders aren’t bound by time or distance like local lenders. That said, local lenders offer a level of customer service that online lenders can’t. With a community bank or credit union, you won’t have to talk to a chatbot before speaking to a human being. Given these distinct features, you might be leaning toward one HELOC or the other. But if you’re on the fence, consider which HELOC is the best fit in the following situations: If you…Then consider…Want the ability to visit a branchLocal HELOCsDon’t mind navigating new apps or websitesOnline HELOCsDon’t need digital account accessLocal HELOCsWould rather have a digital appraisalOnline HELOCsWant to borrow where you bankLocal HELOCsLive too far from a local lenderOnline HELOCs While some HELOCs are a clear winner in some scenarios, flexibility never hurts. Exploring your options—even the ones you think you may not pursue—could help you uncover better rates, benefits, and an overall better-fit HELOC. How do North Dakota HELOC rates compare to other states? Say you own property in both North and South Dakota. Will opening your HELOC in the Peace Garden State get you a lower rate than you’d find one state over? Truth be told, your location doesn’t have much influence on your HELOC rate. The variability in HELOC rates by state is most often due to differences in borrowers’ credit scores. Our money management habits, earning potential, and discretionary income impact our scores. Since economic opportunity isn’t the same in every state, credit scores aren’t. Take a look at how North Dakota’s average VantageScore compares to its neighbors: North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana have similar average scores—and then there’s Minnesota. Because the average score in Minnesota is roughly 10 points higher, its average HELOC rates may be slightly lower. Keep in mind, though, that your personal credit score is what determines your HELOC rate. To that end, how you prepare your credit is far more important than where you live. How to get the best HELOC rates in North Dakota If you don’t need your HELOC for a time-sensitive expense, it’s worth improving your credit score before applying. Sure, this means waiting a little longer on your HELOC. But the effort you put in now can save you hundreds—maybe thousands—in interest. Not sure where to start? Give these strategies a go: Lower your credit utilization to 30% or less of your total credit limit. Split up your monthly debt payments into biweekly installments. Avoid closing existing accounts, and don’t open any new ones. These methods will help you reduce your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and your interest expense. You’ll also preserve your average age of accounts in the process. Working on your credit isn’t the only way to lock in a low rate, though. In fact, it’s only the first step. What’s next? Prequalifying with different lenders. Prequalifying lets you check your rates without a hard credit pull. It’s a no-risk way to make an informed borrowing decision, particularly considering how widely rates vary between lenders. You can proceed with a full application once you find the most competitive HELOC offer. Are there any North Dakota-specific requirements or regulations? The North Dakota Century Code doesn’t appear to regulate HELOCs. The state does have usury laws, but state and federally regulated financial institutions are exempt from those rate caps. While North Dakota doesn’t stipulate any borrower requirements, your lender might. For example, you may need to obtain homeowners insurance before qualifying for a HELOC. Because such policies aren’t legally mandated, they may not be consistent from lender to lender. It’s a good idea to contact lenders before or during the prequalification phase to see what conditions you or your property must meet to qualify for a HELOC. FAQ What credit score do you need for a North Dakota HELOC? Many lenders in North Dakota require a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a HELOC. However, higher scores can unlock better interest rates and terms. Aiming for a score of 700 or above puts you in a stronger position and may result in more favorable conditions. What are the typical fees for a North Dakota HELOC? Fees for a North Dakota HELOC can vary but may include an application fee, origination fee, appraisal fee, and closing costs. These fees can range from $200 to $1,000 or more. Some lenders may offer no-cost or low-cost HELOCs, so shopping around and comparing is wise. Are there any special programs or incentives for North Dakota HELOCs? North Dakota offers special programs for HELOCs, which can include reduced interest rates for veterans and first-time homebuyers. Some financial institutions provide incentives, such as introductory rates or fee waivers. Check with local banks and credit unions to identify available programs. How we chose the best North Dakota HELOCs LendEDU evaluates HELOC lenders to help readers find the best HELOCs. Accessibility is important to this evaluation, so our editorial ratings system primarily focuses on companies available in most U.S. states. That’s why the lenders we selected in the online section have editorial ratings. They’ve gone through an extensive review process and were determined to offer superior products compared to other lenders. We’ve also independently verified that these companies are available in North Dakota. Since most local lenders aren’t available outside state lines, they haven’t gone through the same review process as the online lenders. Instead, we found them through separate research and determined that each offered solutions worthy of consideration by readers. Recap of North Dakota HELOC rates and lenders CompanyBest for…Rating (0-5) Best Overall 4.9 View Rates Best Customer Reviews 4.8 View Rates Best Credit Union 4.7 View Rates Best Marketplace 4.5 View Rates