Upgrade Your Home Office or Living Space With an ASCU HELOC

With more people working from home, it’s common to need better space — a home office upgrade, a garage conversion, or a finished basement where you can focus without distractions.

While it may be tempting to use a credit card for renovation points, credit cards are rarely the best way to finance mid- or large-scale home improvement projects.

Why Not a Credit Card?

Credit cards can work if your project is small and you plan to pay the balance in full each month. But most renovations are unpredictable. Even seasoned DIYers struggle to calculate every screw, tool, and hidden cost that appears as a project evolves.

What begins as a simple upgrade can quickly turn into a costly surprise when financed at rates that can exceed 20%.

Why a HELOC Makes Sense

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) lets you borrow against the equity in your home — typically with lower rates and more flexibility than other financing options.

Benefits of an ASCU HELOC

• Borrow as you go – Only take what you need, when you need it, so you’re not paying interest on an unused lump sum.
• Lower rates than credit cards – Keep project costs under control with competitive, variable rates. (See current rates below.)
• Flexible repayment – In many cases, interest-only payments are allowed during the draw period, giving you breathing room while the project is underway.

Renovations That Add Real Value

A HELOC is best used for improvements that increase your home’s equity. Some projects boost appeal but do little for your appraisal value — so choose upgrades wisely.

High-Value Improvements

• Finishing an unfinished basement
• Converting unused areas into livable square footage
• Room additions with proper permits
• Major kitchen or bathroom remodels

Updates such as changing tiles, fixtures, or paint may improve a home’s appeal but do not always impact its appraised value.

Is a HELOC Right for You?

If your project is larger than a credit card should reasonably handle — and you want flexibility, lower costs, and the ability to borrow as needed — a HELOC may be the ideal tool.