Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Lee Van asked:




The home equity loan was devised by the banks for a way for home owners to access cash to renovate their homes. They are in fact borrowing the equity of their homes and this loan is secured against their homes. There is however, no restriction on what the money can be spent on.

The bank will check the applicant’s credit record. If the borrower’s credit record is bad the lenders will impose a higher rate of interest on the loan to compensate themselves in case he or she did not pay off the loan in full. This loan is secured against the home so the risk is not very high for the lender to lose money in any event.

There is always something that has to be done on a home to keep up the current value. Homes have to be painted inside and outside, gardens need to be landscaped or a swimming pool built. All these projects cost money and they can be done with this loan.

What I find amazing is that a lot of people out there will actually feel it is worth the expense of the loan to use the money to go on a dream holiday. There is seldom enough money in the family budget for pleasure. The family might be dreaming of visiting a certain place and the only way to make the dream come true would be to take a loan to pay for it. But try to remember what you are paying in the long run for such a small and short pleasure.

Edward

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

rsc asked:


I have about $60,000 in my cash accounts (banking and savings). Some of this money is in a savings account that I would consider my emergency funds. I have a very generous retirement program of about 12% of my salary, which has been established for about the last 6 years. I am 33 years old, with a wife that has a job and a generous retirement plan and 1 baby.

I have some other small mutual funds that I started from savings which are 3-10 years old and have a current value of approximately 12,000 dollars.

I have a mortgage. We purchased it for $579,000, and we put down 10%. The first loan was a 7 year arm at a rate of 6.5%, and the second loan was a home equity line of credit for $ 57,900. The second loan is a variable rate, pegged to the prime rate. When I first started that loan, it was at 8.5 %, but it is now as low as 4.2 percent. This, of course, changes with the prime rate. The first loan I pay on principle, and the current debt service is $ 448,000. The second loan is interest only, and still has a principle balance of $57,900. The down turn in the housing market has left me with only about 2-4% equity in my home as the latest appraisal was only $520,000

My only other debt is a car loan which has a balance of 15,000 and a rate of 5.25%.

What should I do with this extra cash?

Do I:
1. Pay down that line of credit? (obviously this has a variable rate that can change, and is currently taking up 100% of my line of credit which impacts my credit score)
2. Buy a second property? There are some good deals out there for a second home (i.e. condo in Florida) or a rental property. This would be an investment property since we can get something very cheap, but the downside is managing the property.
3. Put it in an invest vehicle? A mutual fund, bonds, etc.
4. Leave it in my savings account?
5. Or something else?

How much of that cash should I keep in my account versus investing or paying of my debt?

SHELDON

Apurva Shree asked:


Second mortgage debt consolidation is a popular method of dealing with increasing liabilities. It is also called as a home equity loan that can help pay off your debts. You are taking a loan against the equity of your home. Equity refers to the amount you get after deducting the total mortgage payments made from the current value of the home. Such loans are ideal for homeowners who own homes of considerable worth with lot of equity. You can also opt for a home equity line of credit. With this option you borrow only as much as you need at any given time and pay interest only for that amount.

Dealing With Debt With A Home Equity Loan

Second mortgage debt consolidation is definitely better than having to deal with irate creditors who rightly demand to be repaid. Life can become insidious when you realize you have no way of making payments on time, it can be harrowing for you and your entire family when the creditors come calling.

Any of us can end in bad debt situation due to various reasons and some of them are beyond our control such as medical emergencies, accidents, loss of job or loss of income due to the unexpected death of a family member. At such times, it can be tough to find a solution unless you are lucky to have a home with equity that you can use to borrow funds to consolidate your debts.

Consolidating your debts into one single loan can be beneficial as you end up with a single loan, which most definitely has a lower interest rate. Instead of dealing with many creditors, you just have to work out a budget and make sure you make payments on your first and second mortgage loans. The crucial part is to select a reliable creditor who has experience in the field and can offer you a customized loan to resolve debts. Do some research and find out details by logging online.

In fact, you may also apply for such a loan online without having to leave the comfort of your home. Select a few firms and choose from amongst them. Be sure to select a creditor who is registered with the BBB and negotiate a loan that gets you lower EMIs at lower interest rates.

When you are securing second mortgage debt consolidation loan, remember it is being offered against your home and that if you are irresponsible and fail to make payments on time, you may lose your home. If you make payments on time you stand to gain a lot as not only have you paid off your debts but have improved your credit score too.



OLLIE

Ken Charnly asked:


A home equity line of credit is a loan you take out against the amount of your mortgage that you have paid off.  Home equity lines of credit are relatively easy to get, have low rates, and their interest is deductible. The down side is that if you can’t make your payment, you lose your house.

Your creditor or bank will calculate your equity by subtracting the amount of your mortgage from the current value of the house. This leaves the amount you’ve paid. Take 80 percent of that and you have the loan you will probably be offered by most banks.

If you own a home that is valued at $250,000 and your unpaid mortgage is $150,000, you have $100,000 equity in your home. 80 percent of $100,000 is $80,000 and that’s how much you can usually borrow.

Whether or not you get this home equity line of credit has nothing to do with your income, investments, stock, your liquid capital, how much cash you have in your savings account, credit cards, or credit reference. It has nothing to do with the financial state of your family, your husband or wife, or where you work.

Unfortunately, if you fall into debt or one of your children falls ill and you have no extended family to rely on for finance, you could lose your home. A home equity line of credit is essentially a second mortgage and two mortgages means that you’ve essentially put up your house as collateral.

It is not a good idea to stake your residence and family’s funds on a non-essential purchase like a vacation home or adding on an extra family room or bathroom for when your mother or father come visit. There’s no point in making the homestead more homey if you have nothing more than hope that you will be able to maintain the payments. It’s an extra immediate payment every month that may bleed your assets dry.

If you are sure that your budget can handle it, then build the extra bedroom or bath. Extra rooms raise the value of your estate as well as increase your general household environment. It may be a better idea to keep your home equity line of credit as a last resort safety net instead of gambling on a future that is uncertain.

 



JACK

Alan Lim asked:


If you are a homeowner, you surely have heard so much about home equity loan. What is this all about? Owning a home is not only a major turning point in your life, but is actually an investment that will increase in value over time. In time, your home value would increase. This means that your house which originally cost you $150,000 10 years ago can now be sold for $200,000.

Consequently, if you purchase a home and pay for it through home mortgage, you are slowly building on home equity. It is simply the difference between the current value of your home and the value you still owe your lender on the mortgage. You can then expect your home equity to increase in two ways – it increases as you pay your monthly mortgage payments, and as the market value of your home increases in time.

Home equity is actually one of the most important advantages you can get when buying a home. It is a great financial resource and your money stored in the bank. You can borrow against it through a home equity loan in cases when you badly need some extra cash. If you want to take on a home equity loan for college tuition, home renovation or to pay off your debts, you have two types to choose from: a second mortgage (known as the traditional home equity loan) and the home equity line of credit loan. What are these two all about?

A second mortgage loan merits you lump sum money which is based on the equity built on your home. On the other hand, a line of credit loan entitles you to a credit card or a check book with a corresponding maximum credit amount that you can use for purchases. The amount you can spend is again based on your home’s equity.

Whichever type it is, is low interest and tax deductible. Thus, with all else being equal, the choice of which one to choose is entirely up to you. It will depend on your needs for the moment. If you need the lump sum cash to pay for big purchases, then a second mortgage will do. On the other hand, if you need to spend it in small but regular amounts, then you might find a line of credit more suitable.

However, it is still very important for you to bear in mind that when taking out a home equity loan, your lender can repossess your home anytime if you fail to pay the necessary dues. If you fail to pay your monthly payments for a while or if you fail to pay your home equity loan in full as agreed upon, your lender or your bank can take your house away and use its current value to get what you owed them. As in all mortgages, make sure that you assume the responsibility to pay for what you need to, or you stand the risk losing your home.



BRYON

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

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

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

Dina Wilson asked:


If you are a homeowner and want to take a loan at cheap rate of interest then home equity loans should be your preference. Home equity loans are especial loans carved out for providing greater loan amount at very low rate of interest. Clearly the loan is seldom a burden on your repaying limited capacity. Through home equity loans you can renovate your home, buy a brand new car, meet wedding and holiday expenses or you can immediately pay off your high rate debts.

Home equity loans are based on equity in your home. Equity in home is the amount that is equivalent to the current value of home minus the payment the homeowner has still to make for the loan taken for buying the home. The lender would be approving a loan that is equal or less than the equity in home. This way the lender feels more secure and is assured of getting back the loan in case the borrower fails to return the loan. This is one reason that home equity loans carry low rate of interest. Home equity loan is considered as cheapest of all secured loans.

What is more advantageous is that home equity loans can be returned back as suits to the repaying capacity of the borrower. If the borrower wants to reduce monthly monetary outgo for the loan installments, than, he can opt for 25 to 30 years of repayment duration. So this way also home equity loans are easy to repay.

Home equity loans are also approved without any hurdle for bad credit people who could not pay past loans in time or have arrears, payment defaults and county court judgments in their names. Since home equity loans are safe for lender to give, bad credit usually is not a problem. But compare different lenders so that you can find a lender having loan at comparatively lower interest rate for you.



DINO