Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Joseph Kenny asked:


When you are looking for the cash you need to fix up your home, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be just the thing for you. This would be especially true if you have a project in mind but are not sure what it may cost. A HELOC could be just the solution you are looking for – because it offers you cash with different options than a traditional mortgage. Here are some of the benefits.

A home equity line of credit is to be considered as a second mortgage. After you fill out the paperwork, and the lender looks over your credit report and your ability to repay the loan, you will be given a credit limit. This means that an account is set up for you, and you will be given access to it either with a credit card or with checks. This way, you can draw out the money as you need it, and only as much as you need.

A home equity line of credit is usually based on a 25 or 30-year time frame. There is a draw period and a payment period. The draw period could be up to 11 years, and the rest of the time period is used for repayment.

You only pay interest on the amount that you draw out. This is an excellent way to save some money, because you still have access to more if you do need it. During the draw period, you will be paying interest – adjustable rate, on the amount of money you have taken out. The interest rate does not amortize the loan in any way – since you are only paying interest.

At the end of the draw period, however, the amortization period starts. Your payments will be calculated on how much you have withdrawn and your payments will be determined at that time. These payments will fully amortize the loan within the time remaining – most of the time. Some lenders do not calculate the payments to fully amortize the loan. Obviously, you will need to watch for this before you sign the agreement.

Home equity lines of credit can come with a number of repayment options. These range from balloon payments at the end of the draw period, to simply monthly payments for the rest of the term. Other options that may be included is the possibility of renewability. Some lenders give this option for those who want an ongoing line of credit.

Before you sign up for a home equity line of credit, though, be sure to compare a number of quotes first. A home equity line of credit may have monthly fees, annual fees, and more, so be sure you know about them all first. By comparing several plans, you can find the one that will be the least expensive, have the lowest rate of interest, and will be the best for you.



MELVIN

Susan Jan asked:


Generations past used to enjoy tax benefits on their interest payments on certain loans such as consumer loans. Unfortunately, these tax benefits did not extend to this current generation, and even as we cough up a huge amount every month on interest payments on various debts such as your credit card debts, you can no longer enjoy the same level of tax relief. However, there is another option today that will allow you to consolidate all your high interest debts into one low interest loan and even to secure good tax benefits for repaying the interest on it. This option is the home equity loan, and it is open to any homeowner, who can then use the loan for more efficient debt management.

Homeowners often obtain home equity loans for the purpose of restructuring or repairing the house. It then becomes a kind of long-term investment. However, you may hesitate at the thought of putting your house up yet again for a second mortgage. But if you are to enjoy lower interest payments and some tax benefits, you should not hesitate at all at taking this loan, or even wasting your time looking into other forms of loans to consolidate your debts. If you are already struggling with managing all you debts, then a home equity loan is your best solution for refinancing and managing your otherwise unmanageable debt.

By arranging to refinance your debt through a home equity loan, you are not further adding to your existing debt amount. This debt consolidation plan allows you to transfer all your various debts such as your credit card debts, with all their different due dates and interest rates, to one lender. For the repayment of this consolidated second loan you are paying a lower interest rate as a part of a fixed repayment plan.

Thus the convenience of making a single payment at a lower interest rate to one lending institution is just one of the benefits of home equity loans. In addition to this convenience, you also get to enjoy a tax benefit. This tax benefit along with the financial gains of paying a lot less interest, indirectly adds to your net gain.

Before committing to home equity loan you should make sure that you are in a position to pay back all the debts within the given period. Otherwise you will be putting your home at stake. So be careful about your spending habits, and be particularly wary of accumulating debts on your credit card.



SAM

Andrew Bicknell asked:


When it comes to getting a second mortgage there are a multitude of choices out there waiting for you to use. You can go to your local bank, visit a company that specializes in mortgages, or use the most straightforward and easiest method today, apply for an online home equity loan. The beauty of using the internet is you never have to leave you house.

There are plenty of internet loan sites to go around offering all manner of loans and interest rates. The nice thing about most of these online home equity loan sites is they are designed for a quick turn around. You will get an definitive answer to your application within a day or two of filling it out with the idea that your loan check will arrive or be direct deposited into your bank account in less then two weeks.

Here’s how the basic home equity loan process works; and remember you can get multiple quotes from different lenders to find the loan terms that work best for your situation.

1. You find several loan websites that you feel will give you the best deal on your loan. Fill out their online applications and hit the submit button.

2. You will receive a phone call from a representative of the various loan companies you applied to to verify the information on your application. They will also tell you what information they need from you to verify what you put on your application.

3. When the information on the application has been verified you will be asked to print it out and sign it. After that you either fax it or send it by mail to the loan company along with any other paper work they might require such as proof of income or last years tax returns.

4. After the loan company has processed you application and the other paper work the loan representative will call you once again to set up your closing where you will sign the loan papers.

5. After the closing the papers are returned to the loan company and if everything is in order they release the loan money to you, either as a direct deposit or check, in a matter of days.

One thing to watch out for are online home equity loan companies that promise to have the money to you the same day as you apply. There are certain processes that have to be followed when it comes to home equity loans and these usually take a few days.



IRVIN

Joseph Kenny asked:


When you need the cash out of the equity of your home you may wonder which one is better for you – a cash out mortgage or a home equity loan. The truth is that both have their advantages – but probably one will be better for your situation than the other. This will mean that you need to know a little about each in order to make up your mind. Here are some differences between the two.

A cash out mortgage will involve refinancing your first mortgage. This could be a great way to go, especially if you can get interest rates on the refinance that are at least one percent (two percent is to be preferred) lower than your present mortgage rates. So not only could you get the equity you want, but also you will save thousands of dollars by getting better interest rates, too.

You get the equity you want in a lump sum when your cash out mortgage is approved. All you need to do is to refinance for the amount of the mortgage that is still outstanding, and add the amount of cash you want from your equity. You will want to watch and make sure that you do not refinance for an amount equal to 80% of the value of your house – that includes the equity, as well. The reason for this is simple, you want to make sure that 20% of the value of your home is left intact so that you do not need to pay the Private Mortgage Insurance. This could add thousands of dollars each year to your payments.

You can enjoy further savings if you decide to shorten the term length, too. If you make the remainder of the refinanced loan to be about 5 years less than what you have now, you could literally save tens of thousands of dollars more over the life of the mortgage.

A home equity loan is another way to get to the cash in your equity that you want. A home equity loan is a second mortgage, and you may be able to get it as either an adjustable rate mortgage or a fixed rate mortgage. While it obviously does not require you to refinance your first mortgage, it will give you a new monthly payment – and the cash you want. As a second mortgage, there will also be closing costs and other fees – with the possible exception of going through your present lender.

The interest rate will be higher than on a first mortgage, when you get a home equity loan. The interest rate, as well as the amount you can borrow, will depend mostly on your credit rating, and your ability to repay the loan. Make sure your credit report is accurate before you apply. If there are inaccuracies on the report it can hurt you and give you higher interest rates than you might have otherwise, or even cause your home equity loan to be rejected.

Before you agree to either a home equity loan or a cash out mortgage, you will want to shop around to find the best deal. It will take some time to do it right – but you are the one who will benefit from the savings. Check the various features, such as the interest rate, the fees, and the terms of repayment – including the monthly payments.

The choice is now yours. It can basically be summed up as – do you want to refinance your existing mortgage, or get a second mortgage? Both have their benefits, but only you can decide which one will work best for you.



MITCH

Joseph Kenny asked:


A home equity loan gives you the financial power to do a lot of things that you may not be able to do otherwise. By tapping into the equity in your home, you have access to possibly many tens of thousands of dollars – depending on how long you have lived there. But, with the right planning, there are some uses for that home equity that may result in much higher long-term dividends than others. Here is what you need to know about a home equity loan.

The longer you have lived in your home – the more equity you have built up in it. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area that is rapidly increasing in value – as some areas are, then your home could provide you with a lot of equity. Several types of home equity loans will quickly give you access to it. The different types of loans that can help you the most are those that best fit in with your own plans.

You may be able, for instance, to refinance your first mortgage and get a much better deal – and get access to your equity, too. Primarily, this would be with a cash out mortgage. You simply refinance your mortgage for a lower interest rate on what you still owe, and then add to it how much you want to take out of your equity. At the same time, if you take about 5 years off of the length of the original terms, you can save tens of thousands of dollars more.

Another way is to get a second mortgage. This usually comes in the form of what is typically called a home equity loan, or you can also get a home equity line of credit. Both of these will give you access to your equity, but will also require an additional payment each month. A home equity loan is a straight lump sum loan, while a home equity line of credit gives you a little more flexibility by allowing you to withdraw only the amount of cash you need from an account with a pre-approved credit limit. You also will only pay interest on the amount you withdraw.

Any of these options will give you access to your equity, and you are free to use the money as you wish in any of them. You can take that fantastic trip you’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii or to the Bahamas, you can pay for a college education with it, medical bills, and even consolidate some of your other debt. These choices, however, may not be your best option.

Your best option is to take at least some of the money and reinvest it into your home by making renovations, improvements, or additions to your home. The renovations that add the most to a home is modernizing a kitchen with high tech devices and appearance, a bathroom, or an additional room. Each of these, along with many other things, can greatly increase the value of your home – and give you even more equity.

Besides the benefit of adding to the value and equity of your home, home improvements are also tax deductible, which gives you even more savings. Before you make any renovations or additions, though, be sure to check with your local Realtor, or contractor, to discover what construction style or materials will bring the most value. Not everything you do will increase its worth, so it will pay to find out in advance.

When you go to look for a home equity loan, be sure to get several different quotes. This will allow you to compare the features and get a good idea of what is available. Stay away from any loan that has a penalty for paying it off early.



JOSUE

Albert Alexander asked:


Everyone wants to know the answer to the same question. So how much can I get? How much you can borrow is directly related to your equity which is simply estimated by subtracting the outstanding balance you owe on the home from the current market value. Equity simply refers to the cash value that has grown in your home while you have been making your monthly payments over time. Equity loans enable homeowners to borrow money against their home’s calculated value.

At the same time as home equity loans are a great approach to free up extra cash which is tied up in your home, borrowers must be fully aware that they are using their home as collateral. If a situation arises and their loan obligations aren’t met, they could lose their home. Historically, home equity loans were strictly used for home repairs that would increase the value of your home. Nonetheless, these loans have become a feasible selection for large, non-home improvement related purchases or even for consolidating outstanding debts into one monthly payment at an affordable interest rate.

These loans, secured by real estate, are generally considered safer by lenders. Because of this your interest rates are likely lower than credit card rates or consumer loans. In addition, regardless of the rate, the interest on debt secured by the mortgage or lien on your personal residence is commonly tax-deductible. Please consult your accountant for more detailed information.

Equity loans are great in that they use the collateral of your home to secure the loan, helping you to get a better rate out of the deal and make smaller payments than you would to a credit card or even on a personal loan. Home equity loans can be used for consolidating consumer debt or covering a large expense such as a wedding, college tuition, or home renovations to your existing home. Home equity loans are desirable to borrowers because they oftentimes have a lower interest rate, they are easier to qualify for even if you have bad credit and payments on a home equity loan may be tax deductible.

Even if most lenders feel comfortable with home equity lending, and may be more liberal because they view home equity loans as comparatively safe, it’s still a loan. Lenders consider many factors such as your credit history, ability to repay the loan, and your homes equity (noted above) when making a decision on how much money to lend. Home equity lending, often referred to as a second mortgage or borrowing against your existing home, can open up a lot of avenues as a funding source for a current homeowner.

Because they normally have a lower interest rate, are easier to qualify for (even with weak credit) and the interest may be tax deductible, home equity loans are a great alternative for individuals. Home equity loans are, when all’s said and done, fixed rate home loans that allow you to take advantage of the money you’ve already invested in your home to finance larger debts at a typically lower interest rate than most revolving credit choices.

Home equity loans are a great option if you are sure of your ability to pay them off. Like anything else however, buyer beware. Hidden fees and confusing rate calculations can make a bad situation get even worse. Less reputable lenders frequently target people in vulnerable circumstances with troubled credit by proposing what appears to be an easy way out.



SHELTON

Yoni Daniel asked:


A second mortgage simply means that the amount you borrow is secured by your property, in second preference to your first mortgage. Some lenders call it secured loan. 2nd mortgage loans are loans that are made in addition to the first mortgage, and it is usually based on the amount of equity that the borrower uses to build into his home.

Second mortgage used to be hard to get up until a few years ago, lenders had decreased the amounts and limited the situations that enabled you to purchase 2nd mortgages, the situation now is different. There are now a wide selection of loans available to meet your needs, and it’s much simpler to get a second mortgage on your home.

Second Mortgage and Home Equity Loan.

The amount you can borrow is depends on the difference between the value of the property and the amount of your first mortgage. Better known as the equity you have on your property.

There are two types of second mortgages:

1. Home equity loans.

2. Home equity lines of credit.

Home equity loan is a loan in which the borrower uses the equity in his home as assurance. Home equity loans are a lump sum loan with a fixed interest rate and a planned payment. The amount of loan is determined by credit history, income, and the value of the collateral. People with poor credit can get bad credit personal loan or bad credit home equity loan, but they pay a very high interest rate.

The home equity line of credit is a tool used by homeowners who need to borrow against the equity in their home. There are several different types of home equity lines of credit. These differences are generally based on the interest rate charged the homeowner.

Home equity line of credit is similar to a credit card, you don’t get the money in one lump sum, what you get is a line of credit to use it when you need it. Line of credit will have a variable interest rate, the homeowner cannot know what the interest payment will be. The interest rate on the loan will vary to the same degree as the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve Board

Second Mortgage Interest Rate:

The are two types of mortgage loans: fixed rate mortgage, and adjustable rate mortgage(ARM).

In a fixed rate mortgage,the interest rate remains fixed for the life of the loan. The borrower is protected from sudden increases in monthly payments if interest rates grow. Borrowers choose fixed rate mortgage when interest rates are low.

In a adjustable rate mortgage(ARM),the interest rate may change during the life of the loan.

If you intend to live in your home more than just few years and you like the financial stability of a fixed payment, Than fixed rate mortgage is the right loan for you.

But, If you Plan to briefly remains in your home, Don’t afraid from monthly payment change, And you firm your income will increase in the future, Than adjustable rate mortgage is the right loas for you.

Adjustable rate loans have cleverly protected borrowers money in recent years.

According the msn money expert fixed-rate mortgage are much higher than the Adjustable Rate Mortgages.

The second mortgage interest rate are a bit higher than 1st mortgage rate. But the interest paid on the second mortgage may be tax deductible. In most cases the accumulated interest is 100% fully deductible as long as the combined loan to value of the first and second mortgage does not exceed the price of the home.

Borrowing more than 80% of the home’s value will subject the borrower to private mortgage insurance. The monthly payments should also be a determining factor. If one refinances in the future, he will have to pay off the 2nd mortgage.

The amount borrowed will be combined with the amount the borrower still owes on his first mortgage. But first of all, one should not take a second mortgage on his home unless one has arranged payments on the primary mortgage balance for a good amount of time. One may be able to get a second mortgage if one does not have much equity, but then the loan rates will be much higher, and the amount will be much lower.

While acquiring a second mortgage loan the lender places a lien on the borrowers house. This lien will be recorded in second position after the primary or first mortgage lender’s lien, hence the current term second mortgage. Typically the terms of the loans are for 5, 10 or 15 years, which means that you can choose monthly repayment in accordance with your circumstances.

Debt Consolidation, Home Improvements

Since the loan is secured the interest charged is very competitive compared to other loans, especially credit card loans. Generally, there are no restrictions on the way you use the money. You are free to use it as you please, from debt consolidation to home improvements, from college education to buy a second home or even a dream holiday, a second mortgage loan can be used for just about anything.

Usually, lenders are eager to lend money to home owners because the loan is secured and the borrower has already passed a stringent credit worthiness when he applied for the first mortgage.

One more things, freedom and speed. Second mortgage put you in the driving seat and in charge of your own finance affairs in the fastest way possible. Come on, you can do it.



LARRY

Gerald Greene asked:


Over the past few years many Americans have established lines of credit secured by the equity in their homes or have borrowed a lum sum amount secured by their home. For marginal borrowers this can turn out to be highly risky as it exposes these families to the loss of their homes.

Lenders tend to quickly change colors from friend to foe in times of financial crisis and will “take it away if you can’t pay”.

Prior to mortgaging or refinancing a home you should consider what your families finances would look like if one or more of your family members living in the home lost their job or came down with a serious illness.

How long could you keep the home payments current if there was an unfortunate long term loss of family income?

In spite of the dangers of refinancing or taking out a home equity loan there are times when it may in fact be wise.

Perhaps credit card debt has gotten out of hand. You can get a home equity loan at much lower rates, pay off the credit card debt, and lower your monthly payments, perhaps as much as by 50%.

A word of warning, however. You must not run up your credit card balances once again or you will end up in even worse financial shape than you were to begin with. The second time around trying to carry high credit card debt and a home equity loan payment may be more than painful. It may be financially fatal.

It would be far safer to avoid temptation by cutting up your credit cards and using a debit card instead.

There are other occassions when a home equity loan may be justified. Perhaps you wish to start your own business and are willing and able to take the risk that things may not work out as you plan.

Your home equity will likely be the cheapest source of start up capital that you will find other than going hat in hand to family members. For most families a “friendly” family loan is not recommended as the resulting strife that often takes place if things don’t go as planned causes painful family problems.

Even when all does go well you may get tired of listening to advice from your unofficial business partners.

Perhaps you wish to purchase an existing business, one that should earn you a good income for a long time to come. Again your cheapest source of capital would likely be a home equity loan.

In general, one should consider a home equity loan when the loan proceeds are used to very likely improve ones financial position. This would be a wise use of the loan proceeds.

One should use extreme caution in using a home equity loan to purchase additional consumer goods, say a large expensive flat screen TV set or a new SUV.

The worst example of the use of a home equity loan that I know of was a couple who took out a loan in order to go to the Superbowl. Just think of how much that Superbowl trip will really cost over the years as interest payments are added in. What a terrible short sighted financial decision.

My advice. Use a home equity loan only to improve your financial position or to raise funds in a true emergency situation. Using a home equity loan to purchase things that will only lose value is a misuse of the loan proceeds that could cost you what is probably your most useful and valuable possession … your home sweet home.



TIMMY

Joseph Kenny asked:


Preparing your home for sale in the near future may mean that you need to fix the place up before you sell it. If you have some major work that needs to be done to it, you may want to consider getting a home equity loan to pay for it. Here are some reasons why a home equity loan is a good option to get the money you need to fix it up.

Lower Cost

A home equity loan allows you to tap into the equity in your home. It is also looked at as a second mortgage and will provide you the funds you need to complete your home’s preparation for sale. Getting a loan this way provides you with a lower interest rate than most other type of loans, or credit cards.

Get As Much As You Need

Before you set out to get your money, you will need to know how much you want to get. Even before you do that, though, it would be a good idea to find out if the project you have in mind will actually increase the value of your home. If you are looking to raise the value of your home, talk with a Realtor or contractor beforehand, because some projects simply will not raise the value very much.

A home equity loan provides you with a one-time amount, so you will need to know what it will cost beforehand. If you are not sure of the cost, perhaps a home equity line of credit may be the better way to go for you. This will give you a line of credit, and access to it so that you can draw out money, as you need it.

Fixed Interest Rate

A home equity loan will usually have a fixed interest rate. This allows you to know exactly what your payment will be from the start. Since you are planning on selling your home as soon as possible, you want to keep your payments as low as possible. You will want to keep in mind, though, that a second mortgage does mean an additional payment – at least until sold.

Keep Payments Low

With a home equity loan, you are able to get low payment terms that will not fully amortize the loan. This usually requires a balloon payment at the end of the loan in order to fully amortize it. Since you are only borrowing the money for a short term, though, this would enable you to pay the least amount until your house sells. Then you can make your payment in full.

Make sure, though, that there are not any early payoff penalties on your home equity loan. This will allow you to pay the least and get the most for the short term. You also want to get a few quotes for your home equity loan and look around for the best deal. Compare the various offers you receive and find out which one will work best for your situation.



GARRY

Joseph Kenny asked:


A home equity line of credit can be a great help to you when you are looking for finances for your next project. Whether you have one project in mind – or several, this kind of loan may be the best way to finance it. Here are four ways that a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be the best way to go.

1. It Has A Lower Interest Rate

A home equity line of credit, even though it is a second mortgage, has an interest rate that it just a little higher than prime rate. This means that it is much lower than a credit card, lower than a personal loan, and may be lower than just about any other kind of loan – except for a first mortgage.

2. Only Pay For What You Use

This kind of loan has another great benefit – while you do pay interest like on any other loan, you are only paying interest on the amount you actually use. This means, that if you are given a draw period of 10 years, and you have only used half of the designated money after five years, that you have saved yourself a lot of money – even though a much larger amount is still at your disposal.

With a regular loan, even with a home equity loan, you will be paying a set amount of interest – whether you use all of the money or not. You have money available for projects if you need it – and if not, why should you pay interest on what you do not need, or use? This kind of loan works especially great if you have several projects in mind, but do not know what the total cost will be – or if you may want to add another project somewhere down the road.

3. Lower Monthly Payments

During the draw period on a home equity line of credit, you will be making low payments each month. This is because you will be paying on the interest only – and interest only on the amount that you have actually used. So, during the draw period, which could be up to about 11 years, you will enjoy very low payments.

You need to be aware, however, that at the end of the draw period, one of two things will happen. You will either need to make a balloon payment for the full amount, which will probably require refinancing, or your fully amortizing payments will become much higher than they were – since your new payments will now include the principal, too.

4. Few Closing Costs

One more reason why a home equity line of credit makes more sense than other loans is because it will have fewer closing costs and other fees. Some lenders charge very few, if any fees, when you take out a HELOC. This means a saving of possibly a couple thousand dollars, depending on how big the loan is.

Before you sign any HELOC agreement, though, be sure that you find out exactly what the margin is on it. This will be a rate of interest that is added to the overall APR, and you usually will not be told about it – unless you ask. Also, get several quotes for your home equity line of credit, look them over, and choose the best one for your needs.



KRIS