Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Susan Willis asked:




Having an even 3-point better interest rate on your home equity loan can save you over $1,000 in annual debt payments (on a loan of $50,000). Here are 4 tips for getting the best-possible home equity loan rates.

Tip #1: Pull your credit report: Even though your loan will be lent against the equity in your home as collateral, the rate for which you are eligible is still based largely upon your credit score. If you have not pulled your credit score in months or years, go ahead and do so now. You can get a free copy of your report at the Federal Trade Commission-authorized Web site.

Tip #2: Polish your credit score: If you have poor or fair credit, improving your credit score just 50 points or so can save you $1,000 or more in annual home equity loan payments. While an applicant with good credit might have a rate of 1/2 point below prime, someone with fair or poor credit might pay 1 to 5 points over the prime rate. Bonus: borrowers with better credit can often avoid application or appraisal fees as well, which can add up to significant savings.

Tip #3: Consider a home equity line of credit as an alternative: Before you apply for a home equity loan, consider a home equity line of credit as well. This is a great option if you are not sure exactly how much you will be borrowing over the next couple of years. The potential risk factor is that the rate is not fixed and as it is usually tied to the prime rate.

Tip #4: Compare rates: Once your credit score is in tip-top shape and you have decided that a home equity loan is your best option for securing cash, I suggest starting with your current mortgage lender to find out their best rate. Then, use that as a point of comparison and go online to shop for rates. There are a number Web sites that allow you to compare rates. Before selecting a loan on a given site, be sure to read the fine print about associated costs and fees.

For homeowners, a home equity loan can be a great way to secure cash. To get the best rate, be sure to check and then improve your credit score. Once you have decided that the timing is right to apply for a loan, shop for rates on any credible Web site that will allow you to compare among multiple lenders. And, be sure to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.

Jessie

Steven James asked:


Home equity loans and lines of credit usually are repaid in a shorter period than first mortgages. Home equity loans are attractive to borrowers for a few main reasons:They typically have a lower interest rate (or APR)They are easier to qualify for if you have bad creditPayments on a home equity loan may be tax deductibleBorrowers can get relatively large loans with this type of loan.

Home equity loans have become popular for a number of reasons, including the escalation of property value during the 1980s and that many homeowners these days are remodeling their homes rather than selling them in today’s sluggish real estate market, bankers and mortgage brokers noted. Many lenders set the credit limit on a home equity line by taking a percentage (say, 75 percent) of the home s appraised value and subtracting from that the balance owed on the existing mortgage. Lenders sometimes offer a temporarily discounted interest rate for home equity lines–a rate that is unusually low and may last for only an introductory period, such as 6 months. On the other hand, because the lender s risk is lower than for other forms of credit, as your home serves as collateral, annual percentage rates for home equity lines are generally lower than rates for other types of credit.

Here is a brief list of possible fees that may apply to your home equity loan: Appraisal fees, originator fees, title fees, stamp duties, arrangement fees, closing fees, early pay-off and other costs are often included in loans. If your home has appreciated in value since you purchased it, or there is a substantial difference between the amount you still owe on your mortgage and the value of your home, a home equity loan may be a great way to unlock this money if you have a considerable expense to pay off. You of course do not want to sell your home just so you can touch the cash tied up in it and the home equity line of credit is the ideal way to do this without having being forced to sell.

When examining home equity line of credit options you should remember that different lenders have different policies and procedures and some will lend a higher percentage of the equity in your property than others. Some might even lend over and above the available equity in your house, so it’s important to compare the different deals out there so you get the amount you need and repayments that you can afford. But when homes sell for less than the value of their mortgages and home equity loans ? a situation known as a short sale ? lenders with first liens must be compensated fully before holders of second or third liens get a dime. The law prohibits a homeowner from having more than one home equity loan at a time, although a homeowner may have secondary liens from other sources, such as a home improvement loan or a tax lien.



DORIAN