Cash can be hard to get, at times, and the debt can pile up, but if you own your own home it may be much easier than you think. A home equity loan allows you to take out a loan based on the built up cash value of your home. Here is what you need to look for in order to get a good deal on a home equity loan.
How It Works
A home equity loan is worth the amount of money that you now have invested in your house. For instance, if you house is worth $250,000 on the market, and you still have $155,000 on your existing mortgage, then you have an equity value of the difference – $95,000, in this case. That means that many lenders would be glad to give you a loan worth up to $95,000, as a second mortgage, or home equity loan.
Two Kinds of Mortgages
When you apply for a home equity loan, there are two kinds that you might get. The first kind, called a home equity loan, simply gives you the money – like any other loan. You are free to use the money as you want. The other kind is called a home equity line of credit, often referred to as a HELOC. Both of these are also referred to as second mortgages, since they are secured by the house itself.
The Simple Home Equity Loan
A home equity loan, or second mortgage usually is tax deductible, and is often based on the entire amount of the equity of the home. Generally, it is at a higher rate than the first mortgage, and usually has a maximum of 15 years to pay it back. Many homeowners use a balloon payment with this type of mortgage, or a large payment that is due at the end, in order to keep their payments low.
Line of Credit
This type of home equity mortgage gives to the homeowner a credit line that they are free to draw on – when needed. The ceiling amount is pre-approved by the lender, and then they are free to draw out money as they need it – or if they need it. Up to 100% of the equity value can be borrowed, and interest is only paid on the amount borrowed. The rate of interest, though, will vary, depending on what the rates are at the time you withdraw any money. These loans are generally held open for up to 30 years.
Like with any other loan, you need to take the time to shop around in order to ensure that you get the best deal. Not only should you compare interest rates, but also the various fees that are involved. Separate the actual loan from the fees and compare them other loans – fee against fees and loan costs. Do not make the assumption that since the home equity loan has no closing costs, that they are not in there somewhere – they are.
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A home equity line of credit can be a great help to you when you are looking for finances for your next project. Whether you have one project in mind – or several, this kind of loan may be the best way to finance it. Here are four ways that a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be the best way to go.
1. It Has A Lower Interest Rate
A home equity line of credit, even though it is a second mortgage, has an interest rate that it just a little higher than prime rate. This means that it is much lower than a credit card, lower than a personal loan, and may be lower than just about any other kind of loan – except for a first mortgage.
2. Only Pay For What You Use
This kind of loan has another great benefit – while you do pay interest like on any other loan, you are only paying interest on the amount you actually use. This means, that if you are given a draw period of 10 years, and you have only used half of the designated money after five years, that you have saved yourself a lot of money – even though a much larger amount is still at your disposal.
With a regular loan, even with a home equity loan, you will be paying a set amount of interest – whether you use all of the money or not. You have money available for projects if you need it – and if not, why should you pay interest on what you do not need, or use? This kind of loan works especially great if you have several projects in mind, but do not know what the total cost will be – or if you may want to add another project somewhere down the road.
3. Lower Monthly Payments
During the draw period on a home equity line of credit, you will be making low payments each month. This is because you will be paying on the interest only – and interest only on the amount that you have actually used. So, during the draw period, which could be up to about 11 years, you will enjoy very low payments.
You need to be aware, however, that at the end of the draw period, one of two things will happen. You will either need to make a balloon payment for the full amount, which will probably require refinancing, or your fully amortizing payments will become much higher than they were – since your new payments will now include the principal, too.
4. Few Closing Costs
One more reason why a home equity line of credit makes more sense than other loans is because it will have fewer closing costs and other fees. Some lenders charge very few, if any fees, when you take out a HELOC. This means a saving of possibly a couple thousand dollars, depending on how big the loan is.
Before you sign any HELOC agreement, though, be sure that you find out exactly what the margin is on it. This will be a rate of interest that is added to the overall APR, and you usually will not be told about it – unless you ask. Also, get several quotes for your home equity line of credit, look them over, and choose the best one for your needs.
Tags: 10 Years, 11 Years, Benefit, Credit Card, Credit Help, Equity Line Of Credit, Finance, First Mortgage, Heloc, Home Equity Line, Home Equity Line Of Credit, Home Equity Loan, Interest Rate, Loan Mortgage, Money, Personal Loan, Prime Rate, Second MortgageLenders are making the market for new loans sound so good. Other types of loans are already on the market, and understood. So, how do you get new people to jump on your bandwagon? You offer something that sounds good, but one that not everybody yet understands. That seems to be the case of the 125% home equity loan, too.
The Promise
The promise that is made is to give you 125% of the value of your house for a second mortgage. This way you can enjoy having extra finances to use as you please. You can pay off other debt, fix up the house, combine both mortgages, go on a vacation, or whatever. The choice is up to you.
What, though, is the truth behind a 125% mortgage? Here are some details. Some of these companies actually want to lend you more money than your house is actually worth. Think about it. Are they really trying to help? With other lenders, it can actually be a little difficult to get 80% of the value of a house (they are the smart ones). Why are these agencies trying to push extra money in your face?
Extra Charges
A number of these companies charge 10% if you want to get a lower rate of interest than what is initially offered. That’s just for starters. While they do offer lower rates than what credit cards usually go for, it actually may not be much more, since second mortgages are typically more than a first mortgage. Plus, there is an origination fee, closing costs, and more.
Stay Where You Are
With the extra charges, and owing considerably more than your house is worth, you can plan on not moving anytime soon. This puts you in a negative equity situation. Many people who bought houses even last year are finding out that this is not a good situation to be in. It is possible, in a day of unstable housing markets, that your house could also be devalued making it even harder, if not impossible to sell for years more. It could also mean going into greater debt.
It will also take you a few years just to recover from the various expenses of the mortgage – let alone bring your debt down to where you can make any profit on selling the house. And getting the downpayment for a new house while you owe so much – don’t even go there – it will only be in your dreams.
An even greater problem may occur if you have an adjustable rate mortgage. Sooner or later, there is going to be a rate increase, and it could be as much as 50% higher than it is now.
Compare
If you still want to consider a 125% mortgage, then be sure to compare one company’s product with another. You will be able to see the features that really stand out, and be able to see what features you may need, or want. Be wary of mortgages that promise no fees, because you can be sure that it has been added in there somewhere – and probably more things, too.
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