Posts Tagged ‘Second Mortgage’

Four Ways A Home Equity Line Of Credit Can Help

Written on March 8th, 2010 by adminno shouts

Four Ways A Home Equity Line Of Credit Can Help You Finance Your Next Project

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.

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Debt Consolidation Refi Loans – Cash Out And Reduce Debts

Written on February 4th, 2010 by adminno shouts

Debt Consolidation Refi Loans – Cash Out And Reduce Debts

Debt consolidation refi loans reduce your debt sooner by lowering the interest rate on your principal. So for the same amount you are paying now, you can trim years off your payment schedule. At the same time, you can further reduce your mortgage costs by finding low rate refinancing.

Cashing Out Equity Can Save You Money

By securing your debt consolidation loan with your homes equity, you qualify for some of the cheapest financing available to you. So you can trade in your double digit credit card rates for single digit mortgage rates. To get the most out of your cash out refi, decide if you want one or two mortgages. By refinancing your original mortgage, you qualify for lower overall rates. But if you have good rates now, it might be better to take out a second mortgage. Even with higher rates, having separate mortgages could be cheaper for you.

Selecting The Right Refi Terms

Terms are just as important as rates when trying to reduce your debts. Ideally, you want a short term loan to get out of debt sooner. This doesnt necessarily mean higher payments though. With lower rates, you can select a loan years shorter with the same monthly payment. Adjustable rate home loans also offer low payments, but there is the chance that your rates could increase. Fixed rate loans provide security of knowing what your rates and payments will always be.

Lenders Make The Difference

Not all lendering companies are created the same. Each financing company has their own formula for determining loan rates and closing costs. To make sure you are getting the best refi deal for your credit circumstances, ask for a loan estimate. Within minutes you can receive dozens of offers from several lenders. You can then make side-by-side comparisons to select the best option. This is just another way you can save thousands on your loans cost. When you are ready, you can complete your loan application online for speedy approval. In less than two weeks, your loans paperwork can be completed, and you can pay off your other bills.

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Debt Consolidation Mortgage Loans – How To Secure A Loan

Written on January 30th, 2010 by adminno shouts

Debt Consolidation Mortgage Loans – How To Secure A Loan To Payoff Debts

Trade in your high interest credit card debt with a debt consolidation loan secured by your mortgage. With your homes equity as security, you qualify for some of the lowest rates. And you can select terms that best fit your budget needs. So you can either extend terms for a lower payment or shorten the length to get out of debt sooner.

Take Stock Of Your Debt And Equity

Before you start a cash-out refi, total up your short term debt and compare it to your equity. Remember too that your equity is based on your homes assessed value, not what you paid for it. List out interest rates on your cards and current mortgage in order to determine potential savings with a refi.

With the numbers in front of you, find out what type of debt consolidation loan would be best for your situation. With an especially low rate mortgage, getting a second mortgage is a good choice. The same is true if you plan to move soon. Otherwise, look into refinance your entire mortgage to lock in even lower rates.

Start Shopping Mortgage Loans

Mortgage lenders package loans with a variety of terms and rates. You can opt for a low interest adjustable rate mortgage, or choose the security of fixed rates. You may also select terms that will affect your monthly payments and interest charges.

Once you have an idea of the loan you want, start shopping for a lender with a low APR. APR includes both interest rates and closing costs, which are often the hidden costs of loans. Second mortgages and lines of credit often have lower closing costs than traditional refi loans.

It is important to compare several lenders before settling on one. Using the internet will put you in contact with lenders from across the nation. With so many more choices, you are sure to find a great deal by comparing loan quotes.

Completing The Loan Process

For a fast turnaround, complete the loan application online. Within days, your final paperwork will be mailed to you for your signature. Funds are soon dispersed and you can pay off your accounts.

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Debt Consolidation Loans Can Resolve Bad Credit Debt

Written on January 22nd, 2010 by adminno shouts

Replacing several high interest loans or credit cards with one consolidation loan can not only lower your monthly payments, but also save you money due to the lower interest rate on the new loan.

Look at the rates you are paying on your unsecured debts, i.e. credit cards with a rate of between about 13% and over 35%. These are obvious replacement loan candidates. Auto loans and store credit cards are other loans that should be paid off.

If you can get a second mortgage or refinance your current first mortgage, use these funds to pay off these unsecured loans. You should be able to currently save several thousand dollars in interest payments alone. I am assuming a total loan amount above the home debt to be about $20,000.

The other advantage to this plan is to reduce your monthly payments by a substantial amount. This also should allow you to gain a payment schedule that you can easily meet and even reduce quicker over time. Make sure you can pay off this new loan with extra payments with no penalty. It is a good place to put some of that extra money you have each month.

This idea also takes some solid research on your part. All banks and mortgage companies do not operate the same way. Also you want to find the best rate you can get for your debt structure.

Look to these sources for your consolidation loan: Local banks, local mortgage brokers, and the newest provider for these loans, the internet loan providers. There are many companies fighting each other to make these loans to folks like you. Take advantage of your popularity.

Sometimes, debt consolidation companies can discount the amount of the loan. The debt consolidator will buy the loan at a discount, usually when in danger of bankruptcy. The wise debtor can easily shop around for consolidators who will pass along some of the savings. Consolidation usually affects the ability of the debtor to discharge debts in bankruptcy. Its prudent to weigh this decision rationally.

Take your future in your own hands and make this happen for your financial health. Saving money and paying off your debts faster will open your life to a freedom you have not enjoyed for a long time. A family with minimum debts has eliminated a potential family problem and replaced it with freedom. Do your self a favor and become debt free.

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Debt Consolidation Loan For A Home Owner – 3 Things

Written on December 31st, 2009 by adminno shouts

Debt Consolidation Loan For A Home Owner – 3 Things To Consider

If you want to consolidate your debt–and you own your own home–you’re in luck! If you’re willing to use your house as collateral, you have a lot of low-cost options for debt consolidation. Here are three loans to consider:

Second mortgage

A second mortgage is, essentially, another mortgage on a home that already carries a mortgage loan. The second mortgage takes a backseat to the first one, so it’s a bit riskier for lenders. Because of this additional risk, second mortgages usually carry shorter terms and higher interest rates. However, you can use the money you borrow from a second mortgage to consolidate your debt into one payment. And even though the interest rate is typically higher than your first mortgage, it’s usually still lower than the average credit card or personal loan rate.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan borrows a lump sum of money from the equity in your house–the value of your home minus the amount you currently owe on it. For example, if your house is valued at $250,000, and you currently owe $200,000 on your mortgage, you have $50,000 in equity that you can borrow. That means you can get a lump sum totaling $50,000, which you can then use to pay off other debts. In general, home equity loan rates tend to be low, and in many cases they are tax deductible.

Home Equity Line-of-Credit

A Home Equity Line Of Credit–also known as HELOC–is a type of revolving loan. Like a Home Equity Loan, you are borrowing from the equity in your home. However, unlike a Home Equity Loan, you don’t get a lump sum of cash. Instead, as a line of credit, you can draw on it any time for any amount (up to your limited maximum). HELOCs, in general, tend to have lower interest rates than Home Equity Loans.

Although borrowing a second mortgage or using the equity in your home can be a simple and low-cost way to consolidate your debt, it’s important to remember that, in all these cases, your home is the collateral for the loan. So before you borrow against your home, be certain you will be able to make your monthly payments.

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Debt Consolidation Home Equity Loans Advantages And Disadvantages

Written on December 24th, 2009 by adminno shouts

Getting a home equity loan, or second mortgage, for the sole intent of consolidating and ultimately eliminating unnecessary debts is a great plan. Many consumers are burdened with high credit card balances, consumer loans, etc. Reducing or paying off debts takes time. Furthermore, many do not have the disposable income to lessen credit card balances.

Owning a home places you at a huge advantage. Those who have built equity in their homes may acquire a home equity loan as a way to reduce debts. These loans are affordable, and serve a useful purpose. However, debt consolidation home equity loans have certain risks.

How Do Debt Consolidation Home Equity Loans Work?

The concept of debt consolidation home equity loans is simple. Home equity loans are approved based on your homes equity. A homes equity can be calculated by subtracting the amount owed from the homes market value. Hence, if you owe $50,000 on a home worth $120,000, the equity totals $70,000.

Once the lending institution approves your loan request, and the money received, the funds are used to payoff creditors. Creditors may include high interest credit card balances, consumer loans, automobile loans, student loans, etc. Furthermore, debt consolidation can used to payoff past due utility bills and medical bills.

Debt consolidation loans are not free money. These loans have to be repaid within a reasonable timeframe. On average, home equity loans have short terms of seven, ten, or fifteen years sometimes less. Because home equity loans have fixed and lower rates, these loans are easier to payoff than credit cards.

Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation Home Equity Loans

The major advantage of home equity loans is the ability to become debt free. However, home equity loans involve careful planning. Once credit cards and other loan balances are eliminated, closing credit accounts is a smart maneuver. This way, you avoid accumulating additional debts.

Sadly, some consumers repeat past credit mistakes. Along with paying a home equity loan, they acquire more credit card debt, which increasing their debts and payments. Excessive debt makes it difficult or impossible to maintain regular home equity loan payments. This will present another home equity loan danger inability to repay the loan. A huge disadvantage of debt consolidation home equity loans involves the risk of losing your home. Before accepting a loan, realistically analyze whether you can afford a second mortgage.

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Debt Consolidation Lenders How Can Lenders Help You Reduce

Written on November 30th, 2009 by adminno shouts

Debt Consolidation Lenders How Can Lenders Help You Reduce Debts?

Lenders can help you reduce your debts through lower rates and smaller payments. Turning in your high interest credit card accounts for a low interest equity or personal loan can easily cut your rates in half. You can also manage your monthly payments on your terms, to best fit your budget.

Turning In High Rates For Low Rates

Unsecured credit cards are well-known for their double-digit interest rates. But you dont have to settle for that. Instead you can apply for a low interest home equity or personal loan.

Based on the security of your home, a second mortgage can provide you with some of the cheapest credit available. And in some cases, you can benefit from the additional tax write off.

If you dont own a home or property, you can still reduce your rates with a personal loan. Depending on your credit, personal loans are much cheaper than credit cards.

Getting The Most Out Of Debt Consolidation

Selecting your loan terms before applying will help you get the most out of your debt consolidation. Start by totaling up all the bills you want to eliminate, including credit cards, bills, and short term debts. Then decide on an optimal payment amount that fits your budget.

With this figure you can decide on the appropriate loan period. You can use a loan calculator to help you figure out loan payments or you can ask lenders. A home equity loan will give you maximum flexibility with terms, but personal loans also have options.

A Difference In Lenders

Your choice of lender will also greatly affect how soon you can get out of debt. The best lender is one who offers the cheapest financing with good customer service.

You can request loan quotes online in only a few minutes. With this information, you can decide who has the best rates and fees. Online you will also find better deals than if you went to a traditional office.

Then entire process to consolidate your debts into one easy payment can be settled in just two weeks. In a matter of a few days, you can be on the fast rack to getting out of debt and saving money.

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Debt Consolidation – Types Of Help Available For Unsecured Debt

Written on November 25th, 2009 by adminno shouts

Debt Consolidation – Types Of Help Available For Unsecured Debt Consolidation

There are several types of help available for unsecured debt consolidation. You can choose to take out a debt consolidation loan to lower your rates and payments. You may also choose to use a debt consolidation programs, letting a third party deal with your creditors. And finally, you can turn to a credit counselor to help you find the best plan for your situation.

Debt Consolidation Loans

A debt consolidation loan is any type of loan you take out for the purpose of paying off other creditors. Ideally you want to find a loan with lower interest than what you are currently paying on your bills. However, even if you dont lower your rates, you can lower your monthly payments by choosing a long term loan. The drawback of course is paying more in interest charges.

You can choose from a secured loan, usually backed by your home, or unsecured loan. Secured loans, including a home equity loan, second mortgage, and line of credit, will have lower rates and the tax advantage of writing off your interest payments. However, if you dont have a home, you can still find relatively low rates with a personal loan.

Debt Consolidation Programs

You can also work with a debt consolidation program to lower your rates and consolidate your bills. This third party agency will negotiate lower rates with your creditors for a small fee. You also only make one monthly payment, letting the agency pay your bills from that sum. Some non-profit agencies also specialize in helping those with six or more months of late payments.

Before you sign up with these types of programs, be sure you have researched several agencies. Compare pay back dates, fees, and estimated monthly payments.

Credit Counseling

If you are confused about your options or just dont have a plan for getting out of debt, consider visiting a credit counselor. As a non-biased person, they can explain your financial options. They can also discuss with youre the pros and cons of each options, helping you find the best program for your unique situation.

Besides helping you to consolidate your bills, they can also help you develop a monthly budget and long term financial goals.

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