Sunday, October 16, 2011
Know What to Look For
If you are in the market for credit, a home equity plan is one of several options that might be right for you. Before making a decision, however, you should weigh carefully the costs of a home equity line against the benefits. Shop for the credit terms that best meet your borrowing needs without posing undue financial risks. And remember, failure to repay the amounts you've borrowed, plus interest, could mean the loss of your home.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tips
Pitfalls of Home Equity Loans
Before using a home equity loan for any purpose, you should be aware of the pitfalls of these loans. The main thing is that you can lose your home if you fail to meet the payment schedule required by the loan.
Another common pitfall of home equity loans is that scammers have found plenty of ways to cheat homeowners out of their most valuable asset. Be sure that you know who you’re doing business with. If something smells fishy (like a high-pressure sales pitch or an inability to put things in writing), then take a step back and make sure the deal is legitimate.
How to Find the Best Home Equity Loans
Finding the best home equity loan can save you thousands of dollars – at least. In order to get the best loan, I recommend that you:
Shop around. Try a variety of sources (banks, brokers, and credit unions)
Manage your credit score and make sure your credit reports are accurate
Ask your network of friends and family who they recommend
Compare your offers to those found on websites and advertisements
Additional Home Equity Loan Tips
To make the deal work out in your best interest, make sure that it is the right deal in the first place. Is a home equity loan a better fit for your needs than a simple credit card account? If you’re not sure, figure it out before you put your home at risk.
Plan out your budget ahead of time. Make sure that taking the loan will not overburden you.
Review and consider insurance to cover the payments if something happens. You may or may not need insurance. If you’re going to include it in your program, try to pay the premiums monthly – not up front.
Before using a home equity loan for any purpose, you should be aware of the pitfalls of these loans. The main thing is that you can lose your home if you fail to meet the payment schedule required by the loan.
Another common pitfall of home equity loans is that scammers have found plenty of ways to cheat homeowners out of their most valuable asset. Be sure that you know who you’re doing business with. If something smells fishy (like a high-pressure sales pitch or an inability to put things in writing), then take a step back and make sure the deal is legitimate.
How to Find the Best Home Equity Loans
Finding the best home equity loan can save you thousands of dollars – at least. In order to get the best loan, I recommend that you:
Shop around. Try a variety of sources (banks, brokers, and credit unions)
Manage your credit score and make sure your credit reports are accurate
Ask your network of friends and family who they recommend
Compare your offers to those found on websites and advertisements
Additional Home Equity Loan Tips
To make the deal work out in your best interest, make sure that it is the right deal in the first place. Is a home equity loan a better fit for your needs than a simple credit card account? If you’re not sure, figure it out before you put your home at risk.
Plan out your budget ahead of time. Make sure that taking the loan will not overburden you.
Review and consider insurance to cover the payments if something happens. You may or may not need insurance. If you’re going to include it in your program, try to pay the premiums monthly – not up front.
Home equity loans
A home equity loan (sometimes abbreviated HEL) is a type of loan in which the borrower uses the equity in their home as collateral. These loans are sometimes useful to help finance major home repairs, medical bills or college education. A home equity loan creates a lien against the borrower's house, and reduces actual home equity.
Home equity loans are most commonly second position liens (second trust deed), although they can be held in first or, less commonly, third 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 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. 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.
There is a specific difference between a home equity loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). A HELOC is a line of revolving credit with an adjustable interest rate whereas a home equity loan is a one time lump-sum loan, often with a fixed interest rate.
Home equity loans are most commonly second position liens (second trust deed), although they can be held in first or, less commonly, third 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 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. 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.
There is a specific difference between a home equity loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). A HELOC is a line of revolving credit with an adjustable interest rate whereas a home equity loan is a one time lump-sum loan, often with a fixed interest rate.
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