Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Rick Swanson asked:




When applying for a home equity loan, keep in mind that like most loans, there are always a host of fees. Usually the interest rates for this type of loan are much lower than those of a credit card which is a plus but be sure you understand all costs that will be associated with the loan before you sign on the line.

The main cost to consider is the interest rate. Different types of home equity loans come with different types interest rates. If you are getting a closed home equity loan, which is a single loan, it traditionally will have a fixed interest rate. If you are considering a home equity line of credit, know that it usually will have a variable interest rate. The two types of loans are quite different so expect a discrepancy in the rate of interest for each.

With the home equity line of credit, often every time you borrow from that line, you may be asked to pay a transaction fee. But with all fees, it never hurts to ask for them to be waived or reduced. Often lenders waive certain fees as an incentive to use their company. So do your research!

Both of these loans are treated much like a mortgage. So like your initial home loan, expect that you will have closing costs, attorney fees (if they prepare the legal documents) and insurance fees to pay. You’ll more than likely also encounter an appraisal fee. It’s usually required to have an official home value established before the loan amount can be properly determined. Just keep these all in mind when deciding on whether or not getting a home equity loan is right for you.

Unfortunately, fees are a necessary evil when it comes to getting any type of loan so be prepared to analyze the whole picture. There’s always more to consider than just your monthly payment. And since it’s your home you are putting on the line, it’s so important to understand every fee that will ultimately be associated with the loan. There are so many options out there for home owners. Just be a savvy consumer and get all the information before committing to anything.

Marie

Milos Pesic asked:




Homeowners need to be careful when taking out a home equity loan. It is a good idea to know the value of your home’s equity before taking out such a loan or you might wind up paying back more than your home is worth. Equity is the amount your home is currently worth after subtracting the amount still owed and taking into account the increase or decrease based on current market value. For example, if you purchased your home several years ago for a price of $200,000, then your home should be worth much more than that today due to the rise in market value.

Some homeowners want to take out home equity loans in order to carry out home improvement projects because they believe that modernizing their home will increase its value. It is important to know however, that market equity rates are already factored into the current value of your home. Home improvements are usually a good thing, but if it is not really needed, it could cause you to go deeper in debt. You could take out a personal loan instead of a home equity loan so your home equity is not affected, but you still have to pay back the loan with interest, so it could have a detrimental effect on your personal finances to do the home improvement if you are not certain it will actually raise the market value of your home.

If you do decide to take out a home equity loan for a home improvement project, just realize that it is just like taking out a new mortgage. You must pay closing costs, fees, capital and interest on the loan. This is true for any home equity loan that you take out regardless of the reason. That is why it is very important to think things through and make sure an equity loan against your home is the wisest choice for your situation.

Consider also what might happen if you are unable to repay your loan because of illness or if you lose your job. In that case, if you have taken out a home equity loan, you risk losing your home. Laws vary by state so you should understand the laws where you live. It might be safer for you to protect your home and take out a different type of loan if you have a choice. A home equity loan could be the answer to your financial woes or it could be a financial disaster for you. That is why it is very important to carefully think things through before you act. Seek advice from a financial counselor if you need help making a responsible decision.

Harold

Jon Spears asked:




The state of Texas has some pretty interesting refinance rules. This is especially true when one wants to pull cash or equity out of their home.

There are two types of mortgage refinances. The first type is called a rate and term refinance. This is simply when someone wants to lower their rate or change the term of their original home loan. For example, someone with a 30 year mortgage at 7% may want to refinance to a 5.25%, 15 year mortgage.

In this instance they are not pulling cash out they are just changing the rate and/or the term of their original loan. During the “refinance boom” (2001-2004) many loan officer and mortgage brokers did dozens and dozens of rate and term refinances because mortgage rates dropped so low.

Most people refinance when their home loans when the market rate is much lower than their current mortgage rate. A good rule of thumb is when you can save about 1% it may make sense to refinance.

The second type of refinance is called a Texas Cash out Refinance. This is when someone wants to pull cash out of their home in addition to lowering or changing the rate or term.

Texas once outlawed the ability to pull cash out of one’s home but now allow this as long as the loan meets these criteria:

80% Texas Cash Out Rule: This rule states one that the loan can not exceed 80% of the home’s appraised value.

For example, if one’s home is worth $100,000 and the current mortgage owed is $50,000 than an equity loan can go up to $80,000 (80% of 100k). Thereby netting the borrower $30,000, less closing costs.

3% rule: This rule state that the total fees can not exceed 3% of the loan’s value. For example, if someone does a 100K equity loan the total fees can not exceed $3000. This means broker, title, survey, appraisal, underwriting, doc/prep (everything!) can’t exceed 3%. This law was intended to protect borrowers but it actually penalizes lower loan amounts making it difficult for those with small loans to take advantage of their equity.

This is a great example of regulation doing the opposite than what it was intended. So for those with loan amounts under 100K, it’s very difficult to do a home equity loan as state law also requires one to purchase a new title policy each time one refinance. Title policies usually run 1% of the loan amount.

However, it’s important to note that the 3% law does not apply for those doing an investment cash out home equity. So it’s actually easier to do a home equity loan on an investment property than on an owner occupied property in Texas!

12 Day rule: This is one of the more unique rules. Whenever you do a home equity loan your loan officer or mortgage broker will ask you to sign a 12 day form. This form states that the loan can’t close until 12 days after the date of the application. I guess the state of Texas wants you to have 12 full days to think about your loan!

3 day rule: Then, after we wait 12 days, we are required to wait 3 days until we fund. Not to mention one is required to look and sign the final HUD (settlement statement) 24 hours before closing.

So to make things simple: The loan can’t close for 12 days. Then, once the HUD is prepared by the title company the borrower(s) must review and sign the HUD 24 hours before we close. Then we can’t fund the loan for 3 full business days.

These rules are why it often takes 30 full days to fund a Texas Cash out loan.

Oh, and by the way. The final rule…one must wait 12 full months between home equity loans. So if you do a Texas cash out one year and the price of your home goes up significantly you must wait a year before refinancing.

Because Texas home equity loans have so many rules it is important your mortgage professional truly know the rules so everything goes smoothly with your refinance.

Susan

Adam Hefner asked:




If you don’t have a great credit score you shouldn’t give up on the home ownership dream. There are poor credit home loans for you. You just have to know where to look and which programs might be applicable to your situation. The benefits of home ownership justify the research necessary for you to find the right loan.

Most normal private loans have minimum credit score standards. Some are firm with this and will not budge. Others might make exceptions assuming you come up with a higher down payment. It might also be possible to get a cosigner. It is worth the time to inquire about such possibilities if they are applicable to you.

The current real estate market condition also presents other opportunities for creative buyers with bad credit. Taking over a mortgage could be a possibility. It might otherwise be possible to sign a long term lease with an option to buy the property at current market value.

Some owners might even allow rent payments to be applied towards the purchase price should the option be executed. This is a great way for those with bad credit to get into an equity building situation. It also avoids any down payment.

If those paths prove fruitless, then all is not lost. There are loans backed by what is called the Federal Housing Administration. These are commonly referred to as FHA loans. FHA loans do not require minimum credit requirements. Aside from not having minimum credit score requirements, FHA loans also provide other advantages which are usually needed by those with less than stellar credit.

Credit isn’t an issue with an FHA loan unless you have filed for bankruptcy within the previous two year period or have had a foreclosure within the previous 3 year period. FHA loans also do not require the traditional 20% down payment. Most often, they only require a 3% down payment making it much easier for those with bad credit to close on their property.

Another advantage is the waiving of the stipulation that closing costs be borne by the borrower due in full at closing. These can often add up to thousands of dollars. With an FHA loan, the lender pays half of these fees, and the other half is tacked onto the principal of the mortgage.

Do not make the assumption that there are no poor credit home loans available for you. There very well may be. You just have to know where to look. The above ideas are just a few out of many. Do your research and you might discover that home ownership is within your reach.

Curtis

Mary Wise asked:




You may have taken out a home equity line of credit to help you cover the expenses of life – anything from adding an additional bedroom to your home to putting your twins through four years of grad school. But if you suddenly received a letter stating that your home equity line of credit has been frozen, you are probably wondering where to turn next.

Most home equity credit lines bear the stipulation that the creditor can freeze your line under situations that are outlined in Regulation Z, under the Federal Reserve Board’s codes. For many home equity lenders, this is interpreted as being able to shut you off from your available line of home equity credit if market conditions in your area make the value of your home decline, or if your income has been reduced to where they feel you are at great risk of defaulting on payment to them for credit already extended.

Get Around Regulation Z

You have several options. You can argue with your lender to attempt to persuade them to reinstate your credit line. You can back up your argument by pointing out your good payment history (if payments have come due under your agreement); or by listing homes in the area that have recently sold at or above market value. Discussing the freeze with customer service for your lender has a small, but not impossible, chance of getting your credit line unfrozen.

Your best option is to vote with your feet by choosing a different lender. True, you may have to pay additional closing costs over what you have already paid for your current, now-useless credit line, but you can switch lenders.

In fact, there are online lenders who deal very effectively with taking on borrowers who have had a frozen credit line. With less strict stipulations regarding market values, these lenders can refinance your current line while making the additional credit you need available to you.

Apply Online For the Credit Line You Need

To apply, you will need to gather all the information pertinent to your current home equity line of credit. Visit the lender’s secure online site where you can begin the application process. You will be asked to verify certain things – like your income, employment, etc. Most of the needed documentation can be either emailed or faxed to the new lender.

As with a your original home equity line of credit, your new credit line will allow you to use your home equity line of credit for up to twenty five years. At the end of that period, you will have the opportunity to renew your credit line, or begin repayment. Oftentimes, you can pay during the time that your home equity line of credit is open; this greatly reduces the amount that you will owe at the end of the term.

If you have had your home equity credit line frozen, voting with your feet by choosing a new lender can not only make a bold statement to the lender that you have other options, but can also save you money by the possibility of getting better rates online.

Franklin

Dina Wilson asked:


When you obtain a home equity loan, you are borrowing money by using equity in your home as collateral. Equity is the difference between the appraised value of your property and the amount you owe on your mortgage. Home equity loans online, also known as a second mortgage, provides you with a fixed amount of money, repayable over a fixed period of time.

A benefit of home equity loans online of credit is that the approval process is less stringent than other loans. However, a lender will still look at your creditworthiness and the market value of your home. A home equity loan of credit often allows for a higher percentage of the appraised value to determine the maximum amount of the credit. Also, closing costs are usually lower than a home equity loan. In fact, there is so much competition that many lenders offer home equity of credit with no closing costs. Beware that these loans may have a higher initial interest rate, so compare the APR carefully.

Interest rates on home equity loans online are typically fixed, although there are variable rate programs available. The term on these types of loans can vary in between 5-25 years. The process of borrowing for these loans works similarly to a first mortgage. The lender will have to qualify you by looking at your liabilities, assets, and creditworthiness, as well as appraising your home.

Now, you find a straight answer of all your financial queries in home equity loans online. To qualify for this loan, borrower is supposed to bid any of his assets as a guarantee of the loan amount. In this way, the borrower shares the risk factor with the lender and gets lower interest rates in return. The whole concept of collateral signifies that the lender can realise his loan amount with that of assets of the borrower, if the repayment is not made in time.



MITCHEL

Carrie Reeder asked:


Refinancing an existing home equity line of credit can save you money on interest charges. It will also help you establish a payment plan to help you get out of debt sooner. Another benefit to refinancing is that you can get better terms, avoiding extra fees associated with a line of credit.

Get Better Rates And Terms

Getting better rates and terms on your home equity line of credit is one of the chief benefits of refinancing. With a line of credit, you have a couple of refinancing options. You can decide to refinance both your mortgage and line of credit. Overall this will provide you with a low rate, but don?t trade in your low rate first mortgage for a more expensive refinance home loan.

The other option is to just refinance your line of credit with a second mortgage. A second mortgage can offer lower rates, either fixed or adjustable.

Establish A Payment Plan

Refinancing a line of credit will help you establish a payment plan. Before you apply for refinancing, calculate how much you can afford in a monthly payment. This payment amount will give you an idea of what terms to choose.

Just remember that your interest charges will be smaller than what you are currently paying. Also, the shorter the loan, typically the lower the rates are.

Find Better Terms

Tired of paying fees for such things as having a below minimum balance with your line of credit? Then refinance for better terms. Most refi mortgages don?t have annual fees. While you will have to pay closing costs to process the loan, you don?t have to worry about keeping a balance or paying the account off early.

However, it does pay to check. So before you sign for your refi, ask about any fees included. Late fees should be expected. Early payment fees can usually be deleted from the contract by paying a fee upfront.

While refinancing can save you money, it is important to shop around for the right lender. Ask about their rates and terms. Request loan quotes and compare to other lenders. Time spent researching financing options is an investment that will pay off for years to come.



LESTER

Joseph Kenny asked:


Fixing up your home is one of the most worthwhile uses of the equity in your home. Not only that, but it also adds comfort and beauty to your home as well – making it even more enjoyable to live there. Several ways exist for you to be able to get access to that money that is in your equity. Here are some ways that you can get that money and some things to watch out for along the way.

A home equity loan is one that becomes a second mortgage. As such, it has closing costs and other fees that apply to a regular mortgage. This means, too that there is an approval process and appraisal costs. It is like a regular loan in that you get all the money in the loan in one lump sum and then start making payments.

These loans are usually adjustable rate mortgages. This means you have no set interest rate and it will change from month to month – or from year to year. You can also get a home equity loan with a fixed rate if you look around, which will give you a much more stable payment, but will usually be higher than an adjustable rate mortgage.

One great feature of a home equity loan is knowing how much money you have to work with – you get it all at once. This does require you to know in advance how much equity you want, or you could simply take out as much as you can get. You will want to leave at least 20% of your home’s value in equity and not borrow against it. This is so that you do not have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance. It will also leave you a margin of money in case you ever should have to move. If you leave no equity at all in your house, it may become next to impossible to sell it – and you will be left with no money for a new downpayment.

You also need to know that, as a second mortgage, a home equity loan gives you a new payment to make each month. For this reason your lender will base the amount of the loan on both your ability to pay and your credit rating, along with your total indebtedness.

The amount of time that you have to pay a home equity loan is less than it would be with a first mortgage. Often for as much as 15 years, these loans can be adjusted to the time frame you want – even up to 30 years if you want to keep your payments low. However, you should also remember that the longer you pay – the more you will pay in interest.

When you go to get your home equity loan, be sure that you shop around and get the best deal you can. Besides looking at the interest rate, you will also want to notice the fees, closing costs, and other fees that will apply. Lenders can vary greatly in their terms and fees, so you should look them over carefully to find the deal that best matches your needs.



JESSE

Carrie Reeder asked:


Refinancing your home equity loan is simple when using online lenders. By comparing loan quotes, you can find the lowest costing refi solution. In addition, you can save time and hassle by completing your application online. In less than two weeks, you can reduce your rates and payments by refinancing your home equity loan.

Refinancing Options For Home Equity Loans

You have a number of options for deciding how to refinance your home equity loan. The simplest method is to just refinance your current home equity loan as a second mortgage.

The other option is to refinance both your first and second mortgages to qualify for lower rates than if you just refinanced your second mortgage. You also save on closing costs by paying lawyer, appraisal, and other fees just once. In addition, the hassle of multiple applications is eliminated.

However, combining mortgages is not always the best financial choice. In some cases, refinancing separately will get you better rates. You may also save money by having different terms on your mortgages. For example, you may want your first mortgage for 30 years, but your second mortgage for five.

Start By Comparing Numbers

To see real savings on your interest and monthly mortgage payments, ask for loan cost estimates from lenders. For a quick search, look at the APR to find the lowest costing refi package.

But to get a real sense of your savings, calculate the interest cost on your current home equity loan and potential refi loan. Remember too that there is flexibility with your refinancing. You can shorten your loan to reduce interest or lengthen terms to reduce monthly payments.

Finishing The Refinancing Process

By looking online for your refinancing quotes, you have practically completed your loan application. When you receive a quote, most lenders provide an option to finish the application. This may mean submitting a request online or completing a form.

Once your refinancing has been approved and loan contract signed, your original loan will be paid off by your lender. You can start enjoying your lower monthly payments in less than two weeks.



MITCHELL

Yogi asked:


I have a home in MD and want to move to FL and turn the MD house into a rental and purchase a foreclosure in FL.

I have an agent in FL and an agent in MD to manage my rental. The problems I am running into are: 1. I have no savings. 2. I make less than $40K annually. 3. I need to borrow money to prepare my rental, pay downpayment/closing costs and moving expenses.

I’ve spoken to lenders but have not allowed my credit to be pulled since I am still doing research. I’ve been told that I can get a loan for the foreclosure and repairs to it once I have a job in FL and a tenant agreement in MD (not a problem).

Will I jeopardize my new home loan by applying for a $10k loan to cover the expenses? I have no equity in my house since I refinanced my car and debt last December so there is not much equity hence why I won’t sell. Unless there’s equity loans for $10k (closely maxes my equity).

Investment programs, tricks of the trade, advice and tips are all greatly appreciated.
Renting’s an option but foreclosures under $75k is cheaper monthly and I have options of equity funds of $25k+ or 80% after repair value. This money is for repairs and can be used to pay off the $10k loan and expenses on both homes like taxes and Home Owners Insurance.

Friends in FL who own pay $700 for HOI (my MD is $500). I’ve seen the taxes on FL homes and yes they’re scary. My car is paid and I have no other debt just the MD mortgage. I can break even on rent since I am paying HOA fees and Property Management fee (no profit) and it’s a small sacrifice to keep my house until I can sell for a profit or worse case scenario I need to move back.

My income is not a lot and will probably remain the same in FL but after everything is said and done, I will own two homes, one for about the cost of renting or cheaper and another that I is being paid off for me by the renter.

If I’m still in FL a year from moving and I equity in my MD home I may sell but it’s circumstantial.
I have heard horror stories about tenants and I am willing to take the risk. If it became that bad I would put the house on the market and pay the repairs from the proceeds.

I can’t buy the second house without a tenant agreement so the house wouldn’t sit vacant. I am not accepting short term leases and worse case scenario is I will have to sell the MD house.

As far as not being in the position, the only reason I’m not is because I don’t have my own funds to use for the transaction. The $10k loan was for 5%downpayment and also closing costs so no 100% financing. In addition, I have a job and I am not in a hole so I can afford most of my moving expenses but PODS from MD to FL are expensive which is what I will need while doing repairs in the new home.

I appreciate all of the advice, but I haven’t gotten from the lenders or agents that I’m not prepared to do this and they all know my whole situation at this point. However, the lenders don’t know about the $10k loan I need.

PARKER