Achieve: 2025 Home Equity Review

Two college friends founded Achieve, a digital lender, 20 years ago. Along with its fixed-rate home equity line of credit (HELOC), Achieve also provides personal loans and services to help manage debt. The lender claims to offer responsible debt solutions, stating that they only offer HELOCs to borrowers who will save at least $200 per month on current monthly payments. 

Insights box: In the past, Achieve  offered HELOCs up to only$150,000, but as of November 2024, credit lines doubled to as high as $300,000. The lender also expanded its repayment term options. 

Home equity loan products offered

Achieve Loans offers a fixed-rate home equity line of credit (HELOC) with a 10-, 15-, 20- or 30-year term. Its main use is to consolidate high-interest debt. Credit limits vary from $15,000 to $150,000. There’s a draw period for the first five years of the loan where you can borrow and pay it back as you need to. You incur interest only on the actual amount you’ve withdrawn (not your entire credit line). After the draw period, you’ll enter a repayment period for the remainder of the HELOC term. 

Achieve doesn’t publish their required debt-to-income (DTI) and loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, but these ratios factor into how large a credit limit you’ll receive. For debt consolidation, you’ll need a minimum credit score of 640. If you want to tap equity for other purposes, you’ll need to have a credit score of 700 or higher. 

How Bankrate scored Achieve Loans

Affordability: 3.2/5

• APR: Achieve doesn’t offer an introductory rate for its fixed-rate HELOCs. APRs range from 8.75 to 15 percent. The outer limits are on the high side.  
• Fees: Achieve’s HELOC closing costs range from $750 to $6,685, depending on how much you’re borrowing and the state in which your home is located. These costs typically include a 2.5 percent origination fee and a $725 underwriting fee.

Achieve Loans has higher APRs than the national average and they charge a number of fees, resulting in a 3.2 out of 5 for affordability. 

Availability: 4.1/5

• Loan products: The only home equity product is the unconventional fixed-rate HELOC. It does come with several term options, depending on your use of the HELOC funds.  
• Footprint: The lender is licensed in 29 states, just over half the country. 
• Credit score: Achieve requires a 640 credit score minimum to consolidate debt and a 700 credit score minimum to access home equity. Compared to other home equity lenders, the 640 is on the low side; the 700 a little more robust than others’ minimums. 
• Loan minimum: The minimum loan amount offered for Achieve’s HELOC is $15,000, on the low side of average range. 
• Draw requirement: There’s no minimum draw amount, but you can access funds for only five years.

Achieve Loans being licensed in just 29 states pulls it down slightly to a 4.1 out of 5 for availability.  

Borrower experience: 4.5/5

• Rate transparency: Achieve lists their rates on their website, albeit in a fine-print footnote.
• Convenience: There are no physical branches at Achieve – the lender is all digital. 
• Customer service: You can send an email or an online message or call a representative (no hours are listed).
• Fixed-rate options: None: Achieve’s HELOC only comes with a fixed rate. 

Being available 24/7 online, along with listing a rate range,  earns Achieve a 4.5 out of 5 for borrower experience.  

How to qualify for a HELOC with Achieve Loans

You’ll need a minimum credit score of 640 for debt consolidation and 700 to tap your equity for any other reason. You must occupy the property you’re using as collateral. Your combined loan-to-value ratio, including the HELOC sum you’re applying for and any outstanding mortgage, may not exceed 80 percent.

How to apply with Achieve Loans

You can start the process for an Achieve Loans HELOC through their site or by calling 1-833-418-3231. You can also submit questions by filling out an online form and a representative will contact you.