Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Tim Gorman asked:




Perhaps your credit is not what it used to be. There are teams of experts who specialize in bad credit home loans. You can apply online and their system will match you to lenders who can help. You can refinance your home equity loan for lower rates, just like with any other type of credit.

Improving your credit and shopping for rates ensures that you will get the best financial deal. With the proper preparation and counseling, even borrowers looking for home equity loans for people with bad credit history can avail of the best home improvement loans at very reasonable interest rates. It’s probably a good idea when going after a home equity loan for people with bad credit to talk to your banker and the lender who holds the first mortgage. This is just to get an idea of what’s available. Do not sign any papers at this time. For example, it is easier to qualify for a home equity loan with bad credit, and the money can be used for expenses such as home improvement or debt consolidation.

Mortgage lenders will review your credit report and credit score (yes, they are two separate things) to determine the amount they are comfortable lending you. So it’s wise to review your credit first, long before you complete your first mortgage application. To determine if the type of loan you are looking for is advantageous to you, the best course of action must be based on individual circumstances especially when looking for home equity loans for people with bad credit. Knowing what the current interest rate is, in comparison to the market interest rate, will allow for a comparison regarding how much might be saved. Is the rate on the current mortgage fixed or variable?

Have a heavy burden of debt? Think there’s no way of resolving your issue? Perhaps you are drowning in debt and would like to consolidate all of your debts with a debt consolidation loan. Or maybe your old clunker of a car is just not cutting the mustard and you figure that now is the time to upgrade to a new one. Seeking a home equity loans for people with bad credit requires that you start paying debt on time and in full since this has a positive impact on your credit score. Late payments, judgments and charge-offs have a negative impact. If you have bad or poor credit, go through our special bad credit loans articles, where you will find bad credit loan, bad credit personal loans, bad credit home loans, and debt consolidation information.

This will not only help you get your bad credit back on track, but also show you the different ways in which you can still get approved for home mortgage loans regardless of your poor credit history.

Alice

Derek Farley asked:




A home equity loan is a loan that is secured by the equity of the borrower’s home. Because the borrower’s home is used as security, the lender will usually offer an interest rate that is lower than it would be for an unsecured loan. The most common reasons for getting a home equity loan are paying for home improvements, paying off other debts that have a higher rate of interest, and paying for other expensive items such as a college education or medical bills.

A borrower should only seek a home equity loan if they are sure that they can repay it. If the borrower defaults then the lender could foreclose on the borrower’s home and sell it to recover their losses. A borrower must have equity in their home before applying. If the borrower’s home is worth less than the balance on their current mortgage(s) then there is no equity to borrow against.

There are two types of home equity loans – a closed end, and a line of credit. A closed end home equity loan is a lump sum that is repaid in monthly payments over five or ten years, and usually has a fixed interest rate. If the rate is fixed then it is easy to create a loan amortization schedule that shows the balance remaining on the loan after each payment. Variable rates are uncommon for this type of loan because the payments are fixed, so a change in the interest rate might mean that the payments are no longer enough to cover the interest expense. This would lead to a negative amortization, where the unpaid interest is added to the balance.

A home equity line of credit works like a giant credit card, except that there are minimum withdrawal amounts as well as fees for each withdrawal. The interest rate on this type is usually variable. Therefore, the monthly payment amount will change depending on the current interest rate and the current loan balance.

Currently, home equity loans are difficult to get unless the borrower has excellent credit and a lot of equity in their home. This is because the home equity loan will be in second position behind the first mortgage, which makes it difficult for a lender to recover any money if the borrower defaults. However, it is much easier to get if the borrower does not have a first mortgage because the equity loan would then be in first position. In that situation a borrower may find it easier to get than a traditional mortgage.

There is also a tax advantage to getting a home equity loan. The interest is usually tax deductible if the borrower’s primary residence is the home offered as security. The borrower should check the tax code or ask a tax professional for advice if they want to take advantage of this tax deduction.

Hazel

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

Carrie Reeder asked:




When you apply for a home equity loan, lenders consider your creditworthiness when deciding whether or not to extend a loan. Your creditworthiness is assessed based on three things: credit history, income, and loan-to-value ratio.

Credit History

As with any loan, your credit history will have a major effect on home equity loan availability and loan interest rates. Fortunately, qualifying for financing on a home you already own is much easier than qualifying for a new home loan. If you have good credit, you should have no trouble qualifying for a home equity loan. You should also be able to obtain a relatively good rate. If you have bad credit, you should still be able to obtain a home equity loan, but your rate will probably be a bit higher. Before applying for a home equity loan, take time to pull your credit report. If possible, improve your credit rating by removing mistakes and old debt.

Income

Even though the equity that has built up in your home belongs to you, lenders will still want to make sure that you can pay back any amount that you borrow. To determine your ability to repay, lenders will assess your monthly income and your total debt-to-income ratio. (Debt-to-income ratio is a term used to describe how much of your monthly income goes towards paying your mortgage, credit card debt, loan installments, and other financial obligations, including the home equity loan for which you are applying.) Most lenders will want to make sure that your total debt does not exceed 38 percent of your monthly income.

Loan-to-Value

The loan-to-value ratio is the amount you owe on your house versus the amount your house is worth. For example, if your house is worth $100,000 and you still owe $70,000, your loan-to-value ratio is 70 percent. When you get a home equity loan, the value of your home is re-assessed. The lender will add your current mortgage balance to the requested home equity loan amount, and divide the sum by your home’s current value. The final amount is the new loan-to-value ratio. Many lenders want to keep this amount below 80 percent. However, some lenders are willing to loan you 100 percent of your home’s value or more. Here is a list of recommended Home Equity Lenders online. It’s important to use a reputable lender online to make sure your personal information is secure.

Monica

Terry Edwards asked:


Home equity loans can be an excellent source of funds when used wisely. One of the ways in using the cash from a home equity loan is to consolidate your debts.

Why is it wise to consolidate your debt with the money from your home equity? There are several good reasons which include:

-Paying a much lower interest rate than you pay on your credit cards. In some cases it can be a third of what a credit card company is charging.

-You can most likely deduct the interest expense on your home equity loan whereas you can not on credit cards. This is a huge benefit.

-All your debts are consolidated into one monthly loan payment.

So, what are your options when it comes to using your home equity to pay off your debts? Again, you have choices you can take advantage of including:

Home Equity Loan

Also known as a second mortgage, you can take the equity in your home and borrow against it at a favorable rate of interest. You get the cash in one lump sum and can then pay off your debts or use it how you wish.

Home Equity Line Of Credit

Similar in nature to a credit card, HELOC allows you to draw funds from your home equity and only make payments on that amount, not on an entire loan.

Cash-Out Refinance

This is the third option you have and involves refinancing your existing home mortgage. You would refinance the new mortgage at a greater amount and take the extra money in cash. For example, you want to pay off $25,000 in credit card debt and owe $150,000 on your current mortgage. You could do a cash-out refinance to a new loan amount of $175,000.

Using your home equity to pay off high interest debts can be a wise decision if done right. Just be careful to not start using those credit cards again.



EDDIE

KarenB asked:


I own my home, but do not have enough equity built to refinance and get $50K to pay off credit card debt-what are my options? Someone told me a second mortgage may work, but I have only owned my home for 14 months. Balance on my current mortgage is $77K, home value is max $90K.

WALTER

Cornie Herring asked:


Research result shows that credit card debt is the main debt problem for most of debtors. Credit card carries high interest rate, if you continue delay your credit card payment or continue to pay only the minimum due amount, it will quickly roll up the total debt and drag you into a serious debt trap. Hence, credit card debt must be resolved fast to avoid making your debt situation worse. If you have build up your home equity, you are at a good position to get your debt issue resolve by consolidating your credit card debt and other high interest debt with your home equity.

Why consolidate debt using your home equity?

There are at least 3 good reasons to consolidate all your debt with home equity:

1. Lower interest rate. As compare to other loan, home equity loan is comparatively much lower that other loans, which make it easier to be paid off. If you continue repay the same amount you pay now and the interest rate has been lower, meaning that you pay more toward the principal and making your debt to be paid off faster.

2. The interest of your home equity loan is tax-deductible; you save on interest pay for home equity loan from the tax-deduction.

3. Lower monthly payment. If you find hardship repaying your current debt repayment, then selecting longer repayment term with a home equity loan will help to lower the monthly payment so a level that is affordable by your current financial situation. Be aware that by taking long period of loan term, you will be paying more in total interest.

Consolidation Debt Using Home Equity

There are three ways to consolidation debt using home equity: Cash-out Refinance, Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line Of Credit.

Cash-out Refinance

In this method, you are getting a new mortgage with the amount high than your current mortgage and use it to pay off your current mortgage and have enough balance to clear your credit card debt. For example, your existing mortgage still remains $100,000 and you owe credit card debt of $12,000; you will need to refinance your existing mortgage to get $112,000 of new loan to pay off your existing mortgage plus the credit card debt.

Home Equity Loan

Home equity loan is a second mortgage which you use you home equity to pledge for a loan. For example, your home market value is $150,000 and you still owe for a mortgage of $100,000; this means you have a home equity equal to $50,000. You can apply for a home equity loan up to the value of home equity, in this case is $50,000. But normally, lenders will only approve a home equity loan up to 80-85% of your home equity.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

Credit card has credit limit so do the home equity line of credit, the difference between these two is home equity line of credit use your home equity as the revolving line of credit. Based on your home equity, lenders will pre-approves you with a credit limit where you can withdraw the amount up to that credit limit. . In the home equity line of credit, interest only count on the amount being draws out.

What You Should Not Do With Your Home Equity

Although home equity is a good option to resolve your debt issue, but you will put your home at risk if you default the home equity loan repayment. Hence, don’t get the loan up to the maximum value of you home equity can provide you because you are adding more debt into your account by doing that. Use your home equity to apply for loan that enough to repay your consolidated debt. And remember to repay the home equity loan on time so that you won’t lose you home because of foreclosure.

In Summary

You can always convert home equity to pay off your consolidated high interest debts and save with lower interest and lower monthly repayment. But be aware for the risk of losing your home if you fail to make repayment. Hence, you need to put your repayment plan in place to ensure you won’t miss any repayment schedule of your home equity loan.



KRIS

Brigitta Schwulst asked:


As the owner of your own home, you have a very important resource available to help you weather many financial storms including the current global credit crunch. With the credit crunch in the news on a daily basis, it’s a good time to take a look at the equity tide up in your biggest asset – your home. A home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a loan, which is basically granted using your house’s value as collateral. The size of the loan will depend on the difference between your current mortgage value and the current value of your home.

A fixed rate home equity loan is a great way of freeing extra cash which you can use for a variety of purposes including debt consolidation, wealth creation through good sound investment of capital, education, home improvement etc.

But before you decide on a fixed rate home equity loan or on a variable rate home equity loan its best to compare the pro’s and cons of each type so that you can make the right decision for you.

With your home equity loan being one of the biggest long term financial decisions you’ll make, its best to get the decision right from the very beginning. Getting it wrong could literally cost you thousands.

The question is whether to consider fixed rate home equity loan or a variable rate home equity loan.

Fixed Rate home equity loan

A fixed rate home equity loan is a loan where the interest and thus the repayment are fixed at a certain interest rate for a certain period. The period varies but can be anything from two to five years to the length of the loan. The pros of a fixed rate home equity loan are:



They provide certainty with regards to payments

You can budget easily if you sign up for a fixed rate mortgage

Even if the interest rate climbs, your payments remain constant



Cons of a fixed rate home equity loan include:



Your payments do not decrease if the rate decreases

You cannot take advantage of market up and downs

Initial rates on the fixed rate mortgages are usually higher than variable rate deals.



A fixed rate home equity loan can help to cap your payments and they make it easier to budget. The best time to take advantage of a fixed rate home equity loan is when the rates dip a little. You can then refinance your home equity loan with fixed rate home equity loan and take advantage of the fact that rates will climb.

Variable Rate home equity loan

As opposed to fixed rate home equity loan, the interest on a variable rate home equity loan changes all the time. This means that when interest rates climb, so does your home equity loan repayment.

The pros of this type of home equity loan is that if rates fall, so does your repayments, but unlike fixed rate home equity loan, it is very difficult to budget for payments which fluctuate. This type does however allow you to take advantage of changing market conditions.

If the current rates are high, then its best to go for a variable interest rate loan and then once the rates fall, to try to change it to fixed rate home equity loan.

For more information please visit http://www.low-rate-payday-equity-home-loans.com for more information



OCTAVIO