http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455035#M35751 The Heloc would be about 21,000, if that makes a difference. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:28:59 GMT Christy0828 2009-03-09T18:28:59Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455008#M35743 Is a Heloc figured into you utilization percentage and if so would you then recommend a second mortgage instead? Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:59:13 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455008#M35743 Christy0828 2009-03-09T17:59:13Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455016#M35744 HELOCs are usually factored in as revolving accounts. The reporting depends on the amount of the HELOC. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:06:47 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455016#M35744 llecs 2009-03-09T18:06:47Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455035#M35751 The Heloc would be about 21,000, if that makes a difference. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:28:59 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455035#M35751 Christy0828 2009-03-09T18:28:59Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455049#M35756 You may want to confirm over at Understanding FICO Scoring, but I believe it starts to report as an installment at $50,000. Anything below is revolving. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:48:34 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455049#M35756 llecs 2009-03-09T18:48:34Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455146#M35766 So would people recommend getting a second mortgage over a HELOC? Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:03:48 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455146#M35766 Christy0828 2009-03-09T20:03:48Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455200#M35777 I think you may have problems getting either unless you have a lot of equity.  I thought most programs were requiring 680 scores for HELOC or 2nd mortgages right now (maybe even higher)  Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:18:44 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455200#M35777 mickie08 2009-03-09T21:18:44Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455232#M35779 Our credit union will do it at 650 and when my equifax updates I will have the two most important ones in the 650's I hope. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:52:44 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/455232#M35779 Christy0828 2009-03-09T21:52:44Z http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/456500#M35970 650 for HELOC or 2nd or both. A HELOC reports as resolving under 50k, although I remember some people saying that TU may report it as installment. Do a search on here for HELOC to be sure, but I thought one of the CRAs reported it different. A 2nd might be a better interest rate, but you don't have the LOC convenience. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:04:02 GMT http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Mortgage-Loans/HELOC-V-Second-Mortgage/m-p/456500#M35970 ronq 2009-03-11T00:04:02Z