Home Equity Loans – second mortgage

michael sterios asked:


A second mortgage is a loan secured against the equity in a property that is not a first mortgage. The second mortgage will come from a different lender than the first mortgage.

A first mortgage on a residential property is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and covered by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. A secured loan, however, is not covered by the Act.

Instead, an individual who obtains a second mortgage is entitled to several different forms of protection depending on the value of the loan.

Knowing the facts about a second mortgage and the remedies available to the borrower upon default is important considering the second mortgage will be secured against the borrower’s home.

A second mortgage with an initial value of less than £25,000 will be regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Borrowers should be made aware that the Consumer Credit Act provides for a seven day cooling off period. During this time they can assess the terms and conditions of the second mortgage and redeem it if they feel the product is not right for their needs.

A second mortgage with an initial balance exceeding £25,000, however, will not be regulated by the Consumer Credit Act.

Because of this, borrowers should take out an insurance policy that will offer them protection if they cannot make the payments on the second mortgage due to accident, sickness, unemployment, or death.

There are many different policies available from various insurers to cover the payments on a second mortgage and terms and conditions vary considerably. Borrowers should research the market thoroughly before signing up to a policy.

If a borrower does fall into financial difficulty and cannot keep up the repayments on their second mortgage, they should contact the lender immediately to discuss possible solutions.

This is because a second mortgage is secured against the borrower’s home and if the borrower defaults on their repayments the lender has the right to repossess the property and sell it in order to recover the funds.

Because of the risks involved with borrowing money through a second mortgage, potential applicants should consider the downside carefully. Applicants should also consult with an independent mortgage broker to receive impartial and expert advice before securing a second mortgage against their home.



LAVERN

Andrew Bicknell asked:


A second mortgage can also be referred to as a home equity loan. It is in essence a secured loan that is second, or subordinate, to the first mortgage against the property. The key issue for anyone getting this type of loan is the amount of equity they have in their home. This will ultimately determine the amount of money that can be secured for the home owners use.

Equity is the amount of money that is paid down on the home, or it can be the value of the home minus any loans owed on the home. The main reason for taking out a second mortgage is to take equity from your home and turn it into cash in pocket. What this means is that if you have enough equity in your home you can borrow money using your home as collateral. There are three basic types of loans to choose from: the traditional second mortgage, a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit.

A second mortgage should not be confused with a mortgage refinance or re-mortgage. When you refinance your first mortgage you are replacing your old loan with a new loan, usually at a better interest rate. A second mortgage, or home equity loan, is another loan in addition to the primary loan, which will result in two monthly payments. It is important to distinguish the two to make sure that two payments will not seriously affect your monthly budget.

The interest paid on a second mortgage, up to the first $100,000 borrowed, is tax deductible provided that the loan is on your primary residence. It should be noted that interest rates on home equity loans are generally higher than a first mortgage, usually in the 2-4% higher range. But the interest rate on a this type of secured loan will be lower then on an unsecured loan, such as a car loan, and much, much lower then you will find on a credit card.

The common reasons to get a home equity loan are to pay off high interest credit cards or other higher interest rate debts, refurbishing the home, urgent family matters such as education, medical, etc. This is called debt consolidation and refinancing and is 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. If you have extensive credit card debt, and are not making progress in paying it off on a monthly schedule, a second mortgage may be a good move.

There are a couple of things that anyone getting a home equity second mortgage should be aware of. A second mortgage puts a second charge on your home, meaning that the second mortgage provider can take a share of any proceeds if your home has to be sold.  What is worse, if you pay the first mortgage but fail to pay the second, that mortgage provider can seize your home, even if the sum involved is relatively small.

Getting a second mortgage home equity loan can be a good way to use the equity in your home to do any number of things. Like all financial decisions using a second home loan should be carefully considered in all aspects. If it makes sense and fits within the monthly budget then it is something to be strongly considered.



BRADY

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

Rony Walker asked:


We know debt is bad. We know it could take us forever to pay off interest. But we make quick purchases to keep up with the Joneses, anyway. We go on a shopping spree because something looked good on TV, or simply to reward ourselves for getting through the workweek. We buy cars, home stereo systems, and self-twirling spaghetti forks we certainly could live without. By the time we find ourselves staring at a hefty bill less than 30 days later, we rue our impulsive decision to buy, buy, buy.

Some things, however, are worth getting into debt for. If you’re a wage earner, nothing spells security just as much as land or a house does. You need never fear being homeless again, and secured home equity loans make it possible.

The Basics

A home equity loan gives you the opportunity to use your home’s equity as collateral, in order to borrow money. Collateral is property that guarantees you will pay back a debt. To get your home’s equity value, you subtract how much you still owe on your mortgage from your home’s value. A home equity loan qualifies as a secured loan, as it is secured against a major asset. In this case, the asset is a home, although it may also include other properties.

The Second Mortgage

A secured home equity loan is also referred to as a second mortgage. Like the first mortgage, your property secures a home equity loan. In a nutshell, this loan transforms equity into cash, which people use for a variety of purposes. Home improvements, a popular choice, add equity to your home. Other common reasons for taking out a secured home equity loan include paying for your children’s college education, medical expenses, family emergencies, and huge purchases; or consolidating your debt.

The Terms

Before you take out a secured home equity loan, you should be aware of the terms. You receive the loan in one lump sum at one time. Also, once you take out the loan, you cannot borrow again from the loan. In addition, it is possible to take out more than one loan on the mortgage of your home. But if you do that, make sure to notify your lenders.

The Payback

The benefit of taking out a secured home equity loan is that you can make investments that will last a lifetime. The drawback is that you have to pay the money back. The payments remain the same every month. While first mortgages must be repaid in about 30 years, second mortgages must typically be paid back in half that time. Nonetheless, that figure is not carved in stone, and the repayment period can range from five to 30 years.

The Risks

If you take out a secured home equity loan, you naturally have every intention of paying it back. After all, you know that if you default on payments, you could lose your land or your house. Thankfully, lenders of secured home equity loans often understand when borrowers have short-term problems with their payments. Conventional wisdom says that if you are willing to put your house on the line, then you are willing to give your heart and soul to make payments.

Though debt has become a dirty word in society, repayment need not be a nightmare. Secured home equity loan can help give you a fresh start in life.



DANIEL

Sachin A asked:


Home equity loans have become one of the most popular fund raising options for individuals.

Home equity loans are the loans taken using your home’s equity as the collateral. Thus they are a type of secured loan.

These loans are based on two facts – first, that you have repaid a certain portion of the home mortgage and thus should be able to reutilize that equity; and second that the value of your home has increased since you first purchased it.

The common reasons for taking an equity loan are home improvements, educational expenses, medical bills, debt consolidation etc. There are usually no restrictions on how the borrowed money is used.

The interest paid on such loans is usually tax deductible. Also the interest rates on them are lower than credit card other type of consumer loans. (They are higher than the first mortgage.)

Let’s understand what “home equity” is.

Home equity is defined as the difference between the market value of your home and how much you owe on the mortgage (or mortgages in case you have more than one.)

The market value of your home will be determined by bank’s appraiser or a licensed appraiser.

Suppose market value of your home is $ 100,000 and you have made a down payment of $ 10,000.

Then your equity

= market value – amount owed

= $ 100,000 – $ 90,000

= $ 10,000

After three years if you have paid back $15,000 more of the debt, you will still have $75,000 of the debt left. However after three years the market value of your home would have increased to $ 150,000.

Thus your equity after three years would be

Market value – amount owed

=$ 150,000 – $ 75,000

=$ 75,000

Besides home equity loans (fixed rate home equity loans), there is another type of home equity debt – home equity line of credit or HELOC.

Both of them are known as “Second Mortgages” as they are secured by your home just like the first mortgage.

“Second Mortgages” are repaid sooner than the first mortgages, which are usually repaid in thirty years. Home equity loans usually have a time frame of five to fifteen years.

Home equity loans are a one time lump sum loans, that are repaid over a time period decided beforehand.

On the other hand, home equity line of credit or HELOC allows you to borrow up to a certain limit for the period of the loan. The time limit of the loan is set by the lender. You can withdraw money any time during the time period and repay it any time. It works the same way like a secured credit card.

A HELOC has a variable interest rate that varies through out the period of the loan. The HELOC interest rate depends on the prime lending rate (prime lending rates are fixed by the federal reserve in the US.) The payments can vary depending on what is the amount that has been borrowed, the interest rates and whether the loan is in the draw period or the repayment period.

The credit rating of the borrower is also a factor in deciding the home equity loan interest rates.

The draw period of the line of credit is the period during which you can borrow any amount up to the limit specified by the lender. Also only the interest has to be paid during this period; however you may choose to repay the principal amount if you wish.

During the repayment period, no new debt can be taken and the existing debt must be paid back.

Usually draw periods are for ten years and repayment periods around fifteen years, but this varies depending on the lender’s policies.

Withdrawals for HELOC can be done by checks, credit cards or EFT. Lenders may have certain terms which make require you to take an initial advance when the HELOC is setup, borrow a minimum amount each time you use it and keep a minimum outstanding balance.

If you decide to sell off your home, you have to pay back full amount of the home equity loan.



LUIS