Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

Jim_Bob_Waye asked:


Someone still needs to explain to me why I or any other taxpayer should bail out a homeowner that was able to purchase a house they couldn’t afford in the first place. The fact is is that the vintages of mortgage loans primarily impacted (late 05, and 06, 07) are subprime with little/no documentation of income (read in–they did not have enough to support the payments after the teaser rate ended and should have known it), home equity lines of credit (read in–they lived beyond their means), and second mortgages (see preceding comment). In many cases, these were speculative investments where the investor/homeowner thought they could flip the house. And I (as a taxpayer), who purchased only that amount of property that I could afford and got a loan commensurate with that thought process should pay for those who should never have been in that house in the first place? Note that I don’t even have a house–I have a condo, but I’m supposed to pay for someone else to have a house they shouldn’t?
I asked this question to get other perspectives. Tony, you raise an interesting point about those who bought houses for their families at the then-current market price and got screwed by all the speculators. Theoretically, they could have rented for the time being due to the exorbitant prices, but that assumes they knew the bubble would pop. Since buying a house is a huge investment, do you think all buyers should have educated themselves and avoided buying in a bubble? Or do you think this is entirely impractical? Being in the business, you might have a better idea than I. Thanks for your input.
Nuff, your point concerning redistribution of wealth via tax rebates is interesting. I’m glad you mentioned that. Do you have a reference for the 56 trillion #?
Rush The Band & Stage Dive,

There are talks going on right now about the degree of intervention, if any, the government should pursue. Paulson seems to be right on expressing educated views rather than “speculation.” (Wouldn’t it be ironic to fix a problem caused by excessive speculation with yet more speculation?)

“‘While some in Washington are proposing big interventions, most of the proposals I’ve seen would do more harm than good,’ the secretary said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Economic Club of Chicago, according to The Associated Press. ‘If borrowers aren’t willing to ask for help or respond to efforts to reach them, there is only so much that others can or should do on their behalf.’

The speech was expected to reiterate points that Mr. Paulson made in an interview published Thursday in The Wall Street Journal. Too many of the aid proposals circulating in Washington are ‘bailouts’ designed to help the reckless, he told The Journal.” [1]
[1] http://www.nytimes.com/
2008/02/28/business/
28cnd-econ.html?hp

Thank you all for your inputs. I like Yahoo Answers for collecting other perspectives to balance out my views.
Metallic,

Too few people realize the importance of feedback. We train animals by how we respond to their various activities (if I understand correctly: otherwise, correct me here). People aren’t so different from my observations. Are responses to the actions of others are FAR more important than our words of caution (lol). If we reward (and it is a reward as far as feedback is concerned) their excessive speculation, they will learn that future speculations will be similarly bailed out. For daddy to bail out spoiled little junior only reassured him that he can be as immature as he wants ‘cuz he’ll always be bailed out. The end result is much more speculation. Rather than sheltering whoever these people are (and that’s a question I’d like to see answered), perhaps they should learn their lessons rather than having big brother reinforce their behavior. I agree with your point completely. Thank you.
oops: “Our responses…” (tired)
re-oops: “only reassures”
(no preview option for additional details)
Re: national debt (net)

5.2 – 5.5 trillion held by the public [2, 3]

[2] http://www.treasurydirect.gov/
NP/BPDLogin?application=np
[3]

http://zfacts.com/p/461.html

GLEN

Eddie Lamb asked:


When seeking to understand what an equity line of credit is, it is important to first understand what home equity is.

It is basically how much of your home you have actually owned. It is calculated by looking at the current market value of your house minus your outstanding mortgage balance.

If you have a house that has been appraised for $100,000 and you own 50,000 on your mortgage, you have $50,000 in equity. If you no longer owe anything on your mortgage and your mortgage is paid off, then you have 100% equity in your home.

So what is a equity loan?

This is a loan that is borrowed against what you already own in your home. Though just because you own 50% equity, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be given that much. Your debt, income and credit history will also be evaluated. These loans offer tax savings due, because the interest paid on the loan is tax-deductible. They’re often used to consolidate debt, to finance college educations, large vacations, home repairs or even a second home. The most common option is to make regular payments toward both the interest and the principal. Many of us are looking for the best company that offers great deal in terms of mortgage loan.

There are two basic types of equity loans.

Traditional, AKA a second mortgage, gives borrowers a lump sum of money that must be repaid over a designated period of time.

The second type is an equity line of credit. This provides borrowers with a credit card or checkbook to use to borrow funds. With this, if you have $20,000 in equity you can use the credit card or write checks up to that $20,000 amount. It’s kind of like a secured credit card. The benefits of this type of loan are that you don’t begin accruing interest until you make a purchase with your line of credit.

Most home equity lines of credit are only available for a certain time period, 10 years for example. There will also be limitations on how you use your credit. Some plans may require you to borrow a minimum amount each time you borrow and they may require you to keep a minimum amount outstanding. some lenders refer to a second mortgage as a loan used for purposes of adding value to your home.Some plans may also require that you take an initial advance when the line is set up.



SCOTTIE

Amanda Hash asked:


When you need finance for a home improvement project, you’ve many options at your reach. However, one that is not often considered and can turn out to be a very cheap source of founds is to take a second mortgage on the same property you are planning to improve. Home equity loans or second mortgages are the right tool for financing home improvements.

The fact that these loans are based on equity and that you are planning to improve the property that is guaranteeing them has several implications that need to be taken into account. Both the lender and the borrower will benefit from the fact that the loan will be used to improve the asset that is guaranteeing the loan.

Home Equity Loans (Second Mortgages)

Home equity loans or second mortgages are based on the remaining equity on your home. Basically, equity is the difference between the home value of your property and the outstanding debt guaranteed by that property. Home equity loans use this equity as collateral to guarantee the loan just like home loans use the property as collateral.

This implies that the risk involved for the lender is reduced due to the guarantee and thus, the interest rate charged is low. These loans along with home loans are probably the lowest rate loans of the private financial market. This in turn, implies also low monthly payments which are perfect for financing home improvements so you don’t have to pay high lump sums every month.

Also, since these loans are guaranteed, the lender is willing to offer higher loan amounts. However, the loan amount will be limited by the equity left on your home. Higher loan amounts are also very useful for home improvements because generally, home improvements are rather expensive and an important amount of funds are needed to undertake home improvement projects.

An Alternative: Home Equity Lines of Credit for Home Improvements

These lines of credit are revolving sources of funds that are also guaranteed with your home equity. Instead of a fixed loan amount, what you are offered when requesting a home equity line of credit, is a flexible source of funds with certain credit limit. Up to this limit you can request as much money as you need and repay it the way you want. Generally, the minimum payment is the interests charged for the money you withdraw.

Once you repay the principal, you can withdraw it again as many times as you want as long as you don’t exceed the credit limit. This tool provides a lot of flexibility that comes in very handy when making home improvements that have costs that you can’t always predict and thus having a fixed amount can seriously limit your project.

The main difference as regards the terms of home equity loans and lines of credit is that home equity lines of credit always carry a variable interest rate that is altered every three months according to market conditions, while home equity loans can carry either a variable rate or a fixed interest rate that will remain the same all through the life of the loan.



ALTON

Susan Jan asked:


Your home is your biggest asset. It does not just provide you shelter; it also comes to your aid when you are in financial distress. The equity of your home, built over the years, can be used to obtain loans by acting as the collateral. You can find two types of home equity debt, namely in the form of home equity loans and also in the form of home equity lines of credit otherwise known as HELOCs. Both of them are described as second mortgages, because just like the primary mortgage, the equity loan is also secured by your property. But unlike the first mortgage, the equity debt is repaid over a shorter span of time. The first mortgage is usually repaid over a span of 30 years, whereas the equity loan is usually paid within fifteen years. However, there are exceptions and the repayment period may be as short as 5 years and as long as 30 years.

The growing popularity of these type of loans generally coincides with the recent surge in property value and relatively lower rate of interest. Thus more and more homeowners are turning to these loans for managing their personal debts. Other advantages of the home equity loan also include lower interest rate and tax deductions, making this mode of debt even more popular.

So far as the equity rate of interest is concerned, it is slightly higher than the first mortgage, but considerably lower than credit card loans or other consumer loan interests. Because your property is used as the collateral in equity loans, lenders consider them as secure as the first mortgage.

The tax deduction feature may be the biggest reason behind the huge popularity of home equity loans. Mortgage debt comes with attractive tax savings compared to lets say consumer loans, thus it is highly cost effective to consolidate your other debts with this loan and enjoy lower interest rate plus tax deduction benefits at the same time.

With these benefits, namely considerably low rates for equity debt and tax deduction on the interest payments, it is no wonder that a number of homeowners are utilizing the equity of their homes to meet further expenses and debts. True, it is a mortgage on your precious home, but if you are able to pay back the entire amount within a short span of time and you have stable income, home equity loan is a good option for much needed credit.



STEVIE

Greg Smith asked:


Deciding between a home equity loan and a second mortgage should not be that difficult a decision. These are two very different things that each have their own benefits.

A second mortgage is the option of choice for those who are facing an emergency situation that needs to be dealt with now. If something has cropped up that requires a large amount of money at one time then this is the perfect solution.

When you are approved for a second mortgage you will receive one lump sum that you can use for anything that you want. You can use it to fix the car, repair the roof, buy a boat or just go on a fabulous vacation.

Once the money you get from the second mortgage is gone, it is spent and no matter how you make your payments, no more money will become available to you, not even if you pay it back more quickly.

A home equity line of credit loan on the other hand is often revolving. This actually makes it quite similar to a credit card. These loans can be used for anything just as the second mortgage can, but anything you pay back above the interest owed will go back into the account and you can use it again when needed.

Home equity lines of credit loans and both of them have terms of up to 15 years. If you sell your home before you have paid the line of credit back in full, you will then have to do so upon completion of the sale. This should not be a deciding factor between a second mortgage or a loan because this applies to both.

The home equity loan option is good for people who like to have that cushion available to them to use on a regular basis.

Of course to get approved for a home equity loan or a second mortgage you will have to have a home that has some value. If you already owe a large amount of money on your home then you will not be able to get approved.

The most common place for one to get another mortgage or a line of credit is the bank. You can make an appointment with your bank as soon as possible and start filling out the necessary forms in order to see if you quality for this type of financing.

If you decide to use the money you get from either of the above options to improve your home you will find that you are actually adding value to it. When it comes time to sell your house and property you could actually successfully ask more for it. In this way you could make money off of choosing a second mortgage or a home equity line of credit.



ISAAC

Ray Tolley asked:


In this article, we’ll cover the benefits and disadvantages of home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and personal loans. Whether you’re looking for funds to finance a major expense or simply pay down consumer debt, this article can help you decide what type of financing is best for you.

Home Equity Loan

* Best for: Major, unexpected expenses or large investments.

* Not for: Ongoing or smaller expenses.

How it works: A home equity loan is like a mortgage – the borrower is given a lump sum of money up front and begins paying interest and principal payments right away to work off the debt. The amount of the loan extended to the borrower is based on how much equity has increased in the home after appreciation and mortgage payments.

* Pro: Home equity loans typically offer a lower, fixed interest rate than HELOCs and personal loans. This benefits the borrower over the term of the loan as well as in the short term.

* Con: Borrowers have to pay interest on the full balance right away.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

* Best for: Ongoing expenses like major renovations, college tuition or having a baby.

* Not for: Single, major expenses.

How it works: A home equity line of credit is secured by the equity in your home, and you can draw on it as you would using a credit card or savings account. Typically, the rate is adjustable – meaning it can be changed periodically depending on financial market trends – and you’ll make interest payments on what you borrow until the term of the line of credit is over.

* Pro: You only pay for what you borrow, and these loans are often easier to qualify for and faster to obtain than home equity loans.

* Con: The interest rate is adjustable and often higher than a home equity loan. When shopping for a home equity line of credit, look for a low permanent rate.

Personal Loan

* Best for: Small single expenses like a new car or small business investment.

* Not for: Ongoing living costs, major projects like home renovations.

How it works: A personal loan is a one that is offered by the lending institution and is often secured by the piece of equipment (e.g. a car) or property (e.g. business) that you’re using the loan to purchase. Typically, personal loans are smaller and can often be obtained in the form of a line of credit.

* Pro: Simple application process without sacrificing home equity or risking the home itself.

* Con: Without the security of home equity, the interest rates on a personal loan are often higher, so it is advantageous to pay off the loan as quickly as possible.

In short, whether you obtain a home equity loan, a HELOC or a personal loan will depend on why you need to borrow the funds, the kind of interest rates you can afford and your own current financial situation.

Remember, always shop around for the lowest interest rate! Doing so can save you hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars over the life of the loan.



JAMAR

Andrew Obidowsk asked:


If you are a homeowner and are in need of some extra cash, you may want to consider getting a home equity loan. Equity is the amount of value you have paid off on your property. For instance, if your home mortgage is worth $150,000 and you have paid off $50,000 of your mortgage, you have $50,000 in equity on your home. With this equity you have in your home, you can take out a home equity loan on this money.

There are two types of home equity loans available; Standard Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of credit. With a Standard Home Equity Loan, your loan is assured by the amount of equity you have in your home. This is the type of loan option you should choose if you are in need of a very large loan. A Home Equity Line of Credit is akin to a credit card. With this option, you can withdraw money from an equity account that has been set up with your equity amount. This is a better option for you if you are not needing a large amount of money.

A Standard Home Equity loan generally is a little more difficult to obtain, only because it has a more complex process. These loans generally have a fixed term to them, meaning you will have a pre-determined number of payments over a set period of time. They generally will also have a fixed interest rate and fixed monthly payment. The amount of the loan you receive will be provided to you in one lump sum.

With a Home Equity Line of Credit, an account is set up for the money to be placed into. You can then make withdraws on the money as you need it, and then make payments back into the account. These types of loans generally have a fluctuating rate of interest, however you will only have to pay this interest if you have a balance on your account from the money you have borrowed.

There are many reasons why a person may choose to take out a Home Equity Loan. Many people take out these kinds of loans if their home is in need of repair or reconstruction. If there are large changes they want to make, such as a new heating and cooling unit or new windows, they will take out a home equity loan to pay for them. Others will use a home equity loan as a means to get out of other debts. They will use their Home Equity loan as a form of debt consolidation, to pay off some of their other debts and only have to make one monthly payment. And still others may take out a loan to pay for a new car, or even a large family vacation.

There are countless reasons why a person may choose a home equity loan. Once you get the money, it’s up to you what you choose to do with it. Just keep in mind that this is a loan you will have to pay back, and if you fail to do so, it could very well cost you your home and all of your equity.



PASQUALE

Brad Pradt asked:


what’s the difference between the two, and which ones are easier/harder to be approved of etc?
My partner is getting one or the other, which I’m strongly urging because he owes me alot of money , due to health problems and house problems I had to help him with, and I personally want him to go with whatever’s more flexible, and has a longer time frame, so it will make it easier on him on payments.

He got accepted left and right when he applied for personal loans last year but turned them all down because he didn’t need them yet, and this year he’s starting again but is going for the home equity, but already got one rejection, because he already has some debt.

I personally don’t know what to tell him, so someone educate me!

thanks.

BASIL