Home Equity Loans Make Financial Sense

The optimum word in “home equity loan” is equity. Start with the fair market value of a home, subtract the mortgages (first and second) and any liens against the property, and what you have left is the equity. This equity can be used as collateral to secure cash in the form of a loan or mortgage.

The amount borrowed is based on a percentage of the appraised value of the home. The percentage rate can vary from 75% to 125%. The length of the financing will also vary. The two main types of home equity loans are fixed rate loans and adjustable rate loans.

Fixed rate loan - provides a fixed amount of money at a fixed rate of interest, repayable in equal payments over the life of the loan. Fixed rate financing costs more in set-up fees and comes at higher interest than adjustable rate loans. But if homeowners stay put and interest rates go up, they will save money over a comparable adjustable rate loan.

Adjustable rate loan - the interest rate goes up or down according to the index upon which it is based. Adjustable rate loans will have a cap on how high the interest rate can go. Usually called ARMs (Adjustable Rate Mortgages), this type of loan has lower up-front costs and starts at a lower interest rate than fixed rate financing. This means lower initial monthly payments.

<b>Putting home equity to good use</b>
According to the Consumer Banker Association, the top ten reasons for getting a home equity loan are:

10. Vacation
9. Medical expenses
8. Business expenses
7. Household expenditures
6. Investment
5. Major purchase
4. Education expenses
3. Automobile purchase
2. Home improvement
1. Debt consolidation

Debt consolidation, the most popular reason people cash out their home equity, is a smart form of financing because of the money it can save. For example, say you owe $15,000 on a credit card that charges 17% interest. If you get a debt consolidation loan at 9% interest and pay it off in five years, you’ll save you over $30,000!

If you’re paying more than 15% interest on anything, you should seriously consider a debt consolidation loan. The right terms could drop your monthly payments by 35% - 50%, depending on interest rates, origination costs and tax consequences.

Even for people who have bad credit or who have filed for bankruptcy, a home equity loan is not out of reach. It can be a good way to make a fresh start. Websites like www.easyhomeequitymortgages.com help borrowers with bad credit get the home equity loan that best fits their unique situation.

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How To Get Home Loan With Bad Credit

With flexible payments and terms, today’s mortgage lenders offer a wide variety of loan products. Who benefits? Frequently, it’s borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.


Let’s say you want to refinance your mortgage or apply for a new home equity loan, but are concerned about your spotty credit history. The solution could be a so-called bad credit home loan. These mortgage loans are specifically designed to assist borrowers consolidate debt quickly while keeping their monthly payments affordable. Best of all, you don’t have to have a spotless credit record to qualify.


How does bad credit affect your mortgage?
Your credit score plays a key role in many aspects of your life, including the process of applying for a loan. Lenders scrutinize your payment history on all previous loans, bankruptcy filings, and other financial factors when deciding whether or not to approve your application. If the lender isn’t happy with your credit history, you could be required to make a larger down payment or accept a higher interest rate.


Fortunately, bad credit home loans are geared to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. You can choose cash-out refinancing, which allows you to trade your existing mortgage for a new one and receive additional cash. Many homeowners use the cash to eliminate higher-interest balances such as credit card accounts. Just remember: the money is drawn from your home equity and making a withdrawal will deplete your stake in the home investment.


Same rules apply to a Home Equity loan. Also known as a “second mortgage,” these popular loans are disbursed in a single lump sum, generally at a fixed rate. Homeowners frequently use home equity loans to consolidate their unsecured personal debt such as auto loans, student loans, or credit card accounts.


How can I improve my credit score?
Paying off your credit cards and settling any outstanding loans will certainly help, but if you have a history of late or missed payments, it won’t undo the damage overnight. Improving your credit score takes time, so after paying down your debts, make an effort to consistently pay your bills on time.


Incidentally, if you’re comparing multiple lender offers, you needn’t worry about your credit score taking multiple hits or affecting your score adversely. Credit scorers treat multiple mortgage inquiries as a single inquiry, provided they fall within a 45-day window. Just be sure your comparison-shopping falls within this time frame.


For an accurate picture of your finances, request your credit scores from the three bureaus and see where you stand. Scrutinize your accounts for possible inaccuracies or signs of identity theft. Your efforts to secure a bad credit loan will improve greatly when you can see what your lenders see.

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