Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Amanda Hash asked:


Many advise to obtain a cash-out refinance loan when you are in need of cash and you want to obtain inexpensive funding. However, under certain circumstances it is smarter to resort to second mortgages as these loans can provide equally inexpensive funds without altering the conditions of the previous mortgages.

Second mortgages are home equity loans which use the remaining equity on your home to guarantee repayment. Thus, the previous mortgage loan remains unaltered as only the remaining equity is used and not the one used to guarantee the mortgage loan balance. This is particularly important under certain circumstances when the outstanding mortgage loan has very advantageous terms and it makes no sense to refinance it.

Second Mortgages and Home Loans

Second mortgages are loans based on equity that use only the exceeding equity that is not guaranteeing the outstanding mortgage loan as collateral. Thus, with a home equity loan you can obtain additional cash out of your property just like with cash-out refinance home loans but you do not need to touch your outstanding home loan.

Compared to home loans or first mortgages, second mortgages charge slightly higher interest rates and do not offer such advantageous terms. With a home equity loan or second mortgage you will not be able to obtain repayment schedules of up to 30 years like with home loans but you can get up to 15 years without difficulties.

When to Resort to Second Mortgages

Cash-out refinance loans are an excellent option. They provide all the funds you need while refinancing your outstanding mortgage balance. Besides, as home loans they provide very advantageous terms. And you end up with a single monthly payment instead of having two payments like you do with second mortgages.

However, this is true only if your new refinance home loan has better or similar terms as your previous mortgage. Otherwise, refinancing your home loan may not be to your advantage and the cash you obtain from a cash-out refinance home loan may turn out to be significantly expensive compared to getting additional funds with a home equity loan or second mortgage.

For example: If you obtained your current mortgage loan under good credit and market conditions and thus you have a fairly low interest rate, chances are that by refinancing your home loan and due to the fact that you want to obtain additional cash via a cash-out refinance home loan, you will end up paying a higher interest rate.

If the amount of money you still owe on your mortgage loan is significant, you may end up wasting thousands of dollars more towards interests and you need to ponder that when you analyze the costs of refinancing. Instead, with a second mortgage, you are just paying interests for the money you are actually requesting and not also for the amount of your outstanding mortgage that remains with the same interest rate and fees as always. Thus, when analyzing whether you should go for a second mortgage or a cash-out refinance home loan you need to take into account APRs, Outstanding balances and the costs of each financial transaction.



BERNIE

Amanda Hash asked:


When you need finance for a home improvement project, you’ve many options at your reach. However, one that is not often considered and can turn out to be a very cheap source of founds is to take a second mortgage on the same property you are planning to improve. Home equity loans or second mortgages are the right tool for financing home improvements.

The fact that these loans are based on equity and that you are planning to improve the property that is guaranteeing them has several implications that need to be taken into account. Both the lender and the borrower will benefit from the fact that the loan will be used to improve the asset that is guaranteeing the loan.

Home Equity Loans (Second Mortgages)

Home equity loans or second mortgages are based on the remaining equity on your home. Basically, equity is the difference between the home value of your property and the outstanding debt guaranteed by that property. Home equity loans use this equity as collateral to guarantee the loan just like home loans use the property as collateral.

This implies that the risk involved for the lender is reduced due to the guarantee and thus, the interest rate charged is low. These loans along with home loans are probably the lowest rate loans of the private financial market. This in turn, implies also low monthly payments which are perfect for financing home improvements so you don’t have to pay high lump sums every month.

Also, since these loans are guaranteed, the lender is willing to offer higher loan amounts. However, the loan amount will be limited by the equity left on your home. Higher loan amounts are also very useful for home improvements because generally, home improvements are rather expensive and an important amount of funds are needed to undertake home improvement projects.

An Alternative: Home Equity Lines of Credit for Home Improvements

These lines of credit are revolving sources of funds that are also guaranteed with your home equity. Instead of a fixed loan amount, what you are offered when requesting a home equity line of credit, is a flexible source of funds with certain credit limit. Up to this limit you can request as much money as you need and repay it the way you want. Generally, the minimum payment is the interests charged for the money you withdraw.

Once you repay the principal, you can withdraw it again as many times as you want as long as you don’t exceed the credit limit. This tool provides a lot of flexibility that comes in very handy when making home improvements that have costs that you can’t always predict and thus having a fixed amount can seriously limit your project.

The main difference as regards the terms of home equity loans and lines of credit is that home equity lines of credit always carry a variable interest rate that is altered every three months according to market conditions, while home equity loans can carry either a variable rate or a fixed interest rate that will remain the same all through the life of the loan.



ALTON

Brad Stroh asked:


If you’re in need of additional funds and you own a home, you may have the opportunity to borrow against your home through a second mortgage.

A second mortgage is another name for a home equity loan. The amount that can be borrowed on a second mortgage is typically based on the difference between your home’s current value and your original mortgage principal. This type of loan utilizes your home’s equity to provide you funds for home repairs, school tuition, debt consolidation and other financial needs. For example, if you have a child who’s about to go away to college and you need money for the tuition, a second mortgage can you help you afford your child’s education. If you want to make home repairs or renovate your home, a second mortgage can supply you the funds you need to get the job done. It’s a good way to tap the asset value of your home to meet your investment and budget needs, and helps you avoid incurring high interest unsecured debt like credit cards.

Second Mortgage Benefits

There are some innate benefits to a second mortgage. First of all, since a second mortgage is based on your home’s equity, as a home owner, you have the funds readily available. A second mortgage is a secured loan and is generally easier to obtain than other types of loans.

Also, the interest paid on a second mortgage is normally tax deductible. Not all loan interest can be deducted from your annual taxes. With a second mortgage you can easily deduct the interest you pay on your second mortgage from your taxes.

Second Mortgage Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages associated with a second mortgage that you need to be aware of. For starters, since the second mortgage is being based on your home’s equity, you are putting your home on the line. If you default on payments, the bank can take away your home. Also, interest rates can be higher than a first mortgage, especially if you have a low credit score. A low credit score always affects the interest rate of your loan and the amount that you can borrow.

How to Get a Second Mortgage

If you’ve determined that a second mortgage is the answer to your financial needs, you need to do a few things. You need to make certain that the reason why you’re getting a second mortgage is worth borrowing against your home. For example, if the only reason you’re getting a second mortgage is to purchase a new motorcycle, and you already have two, you need to think if the end result is worth taking out a second mortgage. Also, you need to get your home appraised. A home appraisal will establish the current market value of your home and be the value used to determine the details of your second mortgage. After the appraisal, you need to find a lender. Check with the lender who you used for your first mortgage to see if they’re a good source for a second mortgage. Also look online for second mortgage lenders and resources. You never know where you’ll find the best rate on a second mortgage. And finally, after you’ve compared lenders and made the decision that a second mortgage is the best choice, pick your lender and keep up with your payments. Remember, since you’re borrowing against your home with a second mortgage, you are putting your home on the line.

A second mortgage is a sensible solution to acquiring funds for school tuition, home repairs and renovations, and even vacations and cars. But before you run out and get a second mortgage, you need to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of a second mortgage, and determine if the reason for getting one is worth borrowing against your home.



QUENTIN

Jim Wilson asked:


With the growing number of loans handy at the moment, you in all probability want to know how second mortgage loans match up. This article offers a number of great suggestions and beneficial hints as it applies to why using a second mortgage is the best method to obtain some much needed cash.

Anytime you establish a second loan, your house is used for collateral to grant security to the lender. Second mortgage equity loans are configured to provide lump sums of cash to the homebuyer, which you repay on a determined legal agreement. The cash may then be used for most any reason; however, it is recommended to wipe out debts, rather than spending wildly. The loans can be utilized to pay off school fees, which is a great idea, given that the loans for college tuition could lead to problems. Otherwise, if you establish a second mortgage equity loan, you may want to fix your home or improve your home for increased equity.

Loans are alternatives for everyone, but if you have credit problems, then the second mortgage equity loan may well be in your best interest. Home equity loans are intended to offer higher rates, given that it is a second loan; however, the rates are factored by the secured interest rates on credit cards and other loans. Stated in other words, you are attaining a loan to terminate the higher interest rates on credit cards, car loans, or other secured loans and paying new interest on the present loan.

If you have debts, a second loan could prove worthy. Many lenders will offer wonderful repayment rates on secondary loans. For instance, if you took out a loan arrangement for $10,000 in credit card debt at 12%, then a secondary loan repayment would equal $278.

Compare with using a 2nd mortgage. If a buyer takes out a secondary loan of 15% on a house equity loan over a fifteen-year term then the repayments would be close to $140. Thus, you can see second mortgage equity might be timely.

If you want to hear more about how equity loans can help you for your circumstances, a little online research will unquestionably help. You can visit our site below. There are loads of companies that offer second mortgages, so you’ll have a massive selection to pick from when you’re all set to make your final decision.



CESAR

MLS Reverse Mortgage asked:


Seniors today often live with a great deal of financial uncertainty. The retirement they imagined may not be consistent with the reality they face.

Incomes are flat or declining, living and medical expenses are higher than ever and few income boosting alternatives exist.  Even those who have heard about Reverse Mortgages may be unsure about how they work or what questions to ask. As they search for information, they often turn to their financial institution for guidance and information. By becoming familiar with the product, you can be an even more valuable resource to your clients providing them with income supplementing alternatives to drawing down assets.  

 

What is a Reverse Mortgage?

 

A Reverse Mortgage is a special type of loan that allows a homeowner to convert a portion of the equity in their home into cash they can access. The funds are not taxable to the homeowner and typically don’t interfere with eligibility for Social Security or Medicare benefits. (However, in the federal Supplemental Security Income program, beneficiaries must keep their liquid resources under certain limits.) The customer retains title to the home as well as right to any appreciation in home value when the loan terminates after it is paid off. The loan remains in force until the last titleholder dies, permanently leaves the home or sells the property; the borrower can’t be forced to sell or move by the lender. The loan may be repaid at any time. But unlike a traditional home equity loan or second mortgage, no monthly payments are required. Instead of putting further pressure on an already stretched budget, a Reverse Mortgage can free a senior homeowner of monthly debt obligations.

 

Most Reverse Mortgages today are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and are FHA-insured and guaranteed. Because HECMs are subject to FHA lending limits, proprietary products have also been developed to help homeowners with properties in excess of the FHA lending limits.  

 

Who qualifies for a Reverse Mortgage?

 

All titleholders must be 62 or older and own a home with some equity. There are no income or credit qualifications. Existing mortgages or liens must be paid off, but are often paid with proceeds from the Reverse. The homeowner must also remain current on insurance and property taxes, but these can also be paid with proceeds from the Reverse.

 

How can a borrower use the money?

 

The funds can be used for any purpose from making ends meet to living retirement dreams.  The top reasons for funds used given typically by borrowers are:

 



Paying off debts, primarily mortgage and credit cards

Home repairs and remodeling

Living expenses

Travel

Health care or long-term care

Easing the financial burden on children

Education

Hobbies

Escalating property taxes



 

The amount available depends on the borrower’s age, the value of the home, interest rates and local FHA lending limits. Older borrowers can receive a higher percentage of their equity than younger borrowers. Funds can be received in a lump sum, a monthly payment or a line of credit.

 

What are the costs?

 

As with most any loan product, there are origination fees and closing costs, but they can be paid from the proceeds of the Reverse Mortgage. HECM loans also have a charge for the FHA’s Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP). There are usually no out-of-pocket costs to the borrower.

 

What consumer protections are in place?

 

Reverse Mortgages are non-recourse consumer loans – the loan payoff can never exceed the value of the home. To get a Reverse Mortgage, the customer must attend a mandatory counseling session and review their financial situation with a trained, professional Reverse Mortgage counselor. Many of the counselors are certified by the AARP. The counselor ensures that they understand the transaction, the costs and their other alternatives.

 

If you have questions regarding Reverse Mortgages or how they may provide life-changing benefits to your clients, contact MLS Reverse Mortgage at 1-888-888-4834 or www.mlsreversemortgage.com.

 

Fixed Rate Reverse Mortgage

 

MLS Reverse Mortgage

 



GARTH

J. Nicholson asked:


Before considering a home equity loan or line of credit, it’s important to understand the definition of home equity and what it means for your loan.  In its simplest terms, equity is defined as the difference between the current value of your home and how much is left on your mortgage. 

Let’s say your house has increased in value by $75,000 since you first bought it.  If you haven’t paid any of your mortgage principal down (which you probably have unless you have an interest-only loan), this increase in value represents $75,000 which you can borrow against.

Similarly, if you have paid off $15,000 in principal from your mortgage, this is also home equity.  Remember, however, that mortgage payments consist of both interest and principal and in the early years of your mortgage the monthly payments is mostly interest.  So if you have not had your mortgage very long you may not have paid down as much principal as you might expect.  Check your monthly mortgage statement to see how much principal has been paid.

So in this example, if the price of your home has increased by $75,000 and you have paid off $15,000 in mortgage principal, you have built up $90,000 in home equity.  This is the definition of home equity in action.

However, that doesn’t mean you can go to a bank for a $90,000 loan.  The amount you can borrow is determined by what is known as the “loan-to-value” ratio.  The loan-to-value ratio tells you how much of your home equity you can tap into.  Most lenders won’t go higher than 80-85% of the appraised value of your house minus what’s left on your first mortgage.



ALI

Brian Jenkins asked:


Are you willing to risk your home to finance your business? One way to infuse your business or startup business concern with cash is by tapping the equity in your home. Is it a smart move? The answer depends on a number of different factors.

Financing a Business

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for a new business owner is acquiring financing for the early costs of establishing the business. Unless you have an established banking relationship or collateral to put down, few banks or lenders are willing to make a loan without a personal guarantee of some sort. It makes sense for a homeowner to turn to their largest asset as collateral. A home equity loan or line of credit is often the easiest way for a new business owner to acquire a sum of money that can be used to fund their business startup.

The Case against Home Equity Business Financing

Financial experts almost unanimously warn against using your home as financing for a business. It’s a risky move. If your business fails, you could be putting your home in danger. Since most entrepreneurs begin a business with the intent of supporting their families, does it really make sense to put your family’s biggest asset at risk?

On the other hand, your home is the biggest asset. Using it as collateral can be a very cost-effective way of financing a new beginning. Home equity loans often carry the lowest rates of interest of any other type of loan. Add to that the fact that many banks will require a personal guarantee for a business loan to a startup, and the effect is about the same. You’ll still be personally liable for paying the money back if your business fails.

The trick is to borrow smart. Before you decide to put your house on line to finance your business, do a bit of soul-searching and a lot of research. Here are some factors to consider before you decide to put your home up as collateral for a business loan.

1. Are you counting on the success of the business to pay back the loan?

Keep in mind that most business concerns do not turn a profit within the first year. Can you make payments on a home equity loan for a year without tapping business profits? If you can, then a home equity loan may be a good option for you. Even if the business fails, as long as you know you can make the payments on your loan, your home is safe.

2. Is a home equity line of credit an option?

A home equity loan makes sense if you need a chunk of money to purchase equipment and pay starting expenses. A home equity line of credit has a number of advantages over a closed-end loan under some conditions. While you may be paying slightly higher interest rates on a line of credit, one of the biggest advantages is the revolving feature. In other words, when you pay back money on a line of credit, it becomes available for you to borrow against again. A second advantage is that you’ll only be paying interest on what you actually owe. A home equity line of credit for business purposes is a good way to have cash in reserves for emergencies without having to pay interest on it until you use it.

3. Do you have an exit plan?

One of the biggest failings for most business owners is that they fail to plan for failure as well as success. We all hope that our businesses will be wildly successful, and it’s easy to make big plans based on that dream. But there’s a real danger in not planning what you’ll do in case of failure. At what point will you decide that enough is enough, and what steps will you take to get out with the least possible damage? Deciding when to call it quits can save you from disaster if the business doesn’t fly as high as you hoped.

4. Should you tell your lender that your loan is for business?

While home equity loans can generally be used for any purpose, including funding a new business, some loan experts recommend against volunteering the information to your lender. They may feel obligated to direct you to the commercial lending arm of their institution if that’s bank policy. If, on the other hand, you are asked directly, it’s best to be honest. Lying about your purpose for the loan could be construed as misrepresentation and open you to charges of fraud. Misrepresenting yourself could also negate the loan and call it due immediately.

The long and short of it is this: your home is probably your best source of funding for your business in the early stages. If you do decide to use a home equity loan to finance your business, be sure to think it through and safeguard your home before signing on the dotted line.



THERON

Renold asked:


Hi all,

I want to share some information with you regarding the benifits of colorado home equity loans.

Home equity loans are considered secured loans. A Colorado home equity loan will both allow you to access your home’s equity as a owner. A Home Equity Loan has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to borrow money, especially with the continued increases in interest rates on credit cards. A home equity loan is a type of loan in which the borrower uses the equity in his home as collateral. Colorado home equity loans are also called as second mortgage loans. To get a Colorado Home Equity Loan The interest on a second mortgage is usually tax deductible and also payment schedule can be arranged over a specific amount of time, which allows the home owner the convenience of scheduled payments. If you have a great mortgage interest rate and don’t want to refinance your existing mortgage, a home equity loan might be the way to go.

A home equity loan is a second loan that you take out in addition to your first mortgage . It allows you to get cash from your home’s equity. These loans are sometimes useful for families to help finance major home repairs, medical bills or college educations. Colorado Home equity loans offer several advantages. Interest rates tend to be lower over other types of consumer loans. For more information on Colorado Home Equity Loans . Your home equity is the percentage of the home that you own. Equity means the difference between the current value of the home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. you can borrow money against that equity in the form of a second mortgage or home equity loan. Home equity loans come in two types, closed end and open end.Both are usually referred to as second mortgages, because they are secured against the value of the property, just like a traditional mortgage. Banks and other mortgage lenders generally like issuing home equity loans. For most people, their home is their biggest single asset. The borrower benefits from the lower interest rates offered with “safer” loans.

Compare the interest rates from different mortgage lenders and make a decision. So many lenders will approach you but try to get a loan from a reliable mortgage company which will offer you the lowest Colorado home equity loan rates. Colorado Home Equity Loans are most commonly second mortgage loans, although they can be held in first position. Most home equity loans require good to excellent credit history, and reasonable loan-to-value and combined loan-to-value ratios. Home equity loans and lines of credit are usually, but not always, for a shorter term than first mortgages. In the United States, it is sometimes possible to deduct home equity loan interest on one’s personal income taxes.



EMANUEL

Ajeet Khurana asked:


It is almost as if lenders are really keen to advance home equity loans. Don’t know what this is? Don’t worry, you are not the only home owner out there that has had to stop and ask exactly what a home equity loan is.

These loans have actually become more common over the last 20 years or so. But if you have never needed one before there is no reason for you to know all of the logistics.

Understanding the Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is a tool to release the embedded equity in your owned home. Another way to look at it is that the homeowner uses the equity in his or her home as collateral. These loans are often taken out by homeowners that need to finance home repairs or remodeling, pay for unexpected medical bills, or even to pay for higher education.

Basically what this type of loan does is create a lien against the home and until it is paid off the actual equity in the home is reduced by the loan amount.

There are several conditions that a borrower must satisfy before they become eligible for a home owner loan. These loans are reserved for those that are and have been in good standing with their mortgage company and also have excellent credit histories. The home equity loan is essentially a second mortgage because they are secured with the value of the home just as a first mortgage is.

Most of the time these loans are not as long term as a first mortgage, meaning they will need to be paid off before the first loan.

Fundamentally, loans on your home’s equity are of two categories: open end home equity loans and closed end home equity loans. Open end home equity loans are those that are referred to as a line of credit. With this type of loan the borrower can determine when and how they would like to borrow against the equity in the home.

These loans usually allow for the borrower to borrow 100% of the value of the home and can be made available for up to 30 years with a variable interest rate.

On the other hand you, the borrower, can get a fixed amount at the very first instance with the use of a close-ended loan. The amount that is given is figured by determining the value of the home, the income of the borrower, as well as the credit history. There can be different tenures, but 15 years is a common tenure for a close ended loan.

Just because you can potentially get a loan on the equity of your home does not make it a good idea. Many times homeowners are able to secure a better interest rate on this type of loan than they are on a personal loan, making this a more affordable loan option. Lenders find it standard operating practice, but borrowers call is “hidden fees.” So make you understand the complete deal before getting a loan.



STEFAN

Dalvin Rumsey asked:


If the words “refinance home equity” and “mortgage refinance” seem very strange for you, here are a few things you should find out in order to shed some light on this field.

The first thing you need to understand is the reason for needing refinancing. Either one wants to reduce the monthly payments or to tap built-up home equity, refinancing is the key solution to your problems. Other people might want to consolidate outstanding debt, which means combining a first and second mortgage into a new first mortgage. Last, but not least, a very large number of people simply want to give up a mortgage product which is too expensive for their incomes.

There are a few common rules that any person should consider before getting into such a business. Well, the most traditional rule of a mortgage refinance is getting an interest rate at least 2% below the interest rate you are paying at that certain moment. The bad thing about this rule is that this two percent difference from your rate can cost you even more, as these low rates usually don’t come up that often. Therefore, the best idea behind getting a more suitable mortgage refinance is taking the time and properly analyzing the time and the cost factors.

The central point of interest when investigating a mortgage refinance option is the amount of money that you will need to borrow. The most common practice of the lenders is allowing you to borrow an amount of up to 80% of the current value of your home. Of course, there are lenders who let you lend more money, that is in case you simply want a refinance for your existing loan.

For those of you who want to free up cash in your home, the only way of avoiding a mortgage refinance is choosing a refinance home equity loan. Home equity loans also have their own set of risks. The fact is that all refinance home equity loans provide adjustable rates. They are very similar to the way a credit card works.

You will have to consider the fact that the lenders will generally offer you not more than 75% of the equity in your home. Of course, lenders also offer refinance home equity loans having a fixed rate, but the main idea is that they work much like a first or second mortgage on your home.

Therefore, you must be very careful when taking such a decision!



GREGG