Kevin Benner asked:




If you are trying to get the best possible rate on 2nd mortgage home equity loans, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about the process. You have probably seen countless websites that promise to provide you with a list of lenders that offer the best rates in your area. Many of these sites do nothing more than provide a listing of interest rates for national lenders.

A quality mortgage referral website will make it a priority to inform and educate a customer whenever and wherever possible. In the end, these quality websites want you to find the best possible terms for your 2nd mortgage home equity loans. Cultivating relationships with the top lenders, in the business of providing customers with the ideal combination of low rates and ethical business practices, allow consumers to find a good rate at the lowest cost possible in a more time efficient manner.

What to Look for in 2nd Mortgage Home Equity Loans

If you are not sure how 2nd mortgage loans work, they are designed to allow you to borrow against the equity in your home. The equity in your home is the difference between the fair market value of your home and the amount you still owe on the mortgage. Since homes typically appreciate in value over the years, you may have more equity in your home than you realized.

When evaluating 2nd mortgage home equity loans, it’s important to consider more than just the interest rate. You will also want to find out what the APR is for your loan. APR, or annual percentage rate, is a measure of the costs associated with the credit, including interest rate, points, and finance charges.

Cecil

Dave Badge asked:


Chicago home equity loans are the type of loans where the borrower uses the equity in his Chicago home as collateral. You can lose the home and be forced to move out if you don’t repay the debt. Such loans are often used by families in need of financing help to make major home repairs, pay medical bills or college tuitions. Chicago home equity loans create a lien against the borrower’s house. Equity is the difference between how much the home is worth and how much you owe on the mortgage (or mortgages, if you have more than one on the property). Such loans require an excellent credit score and reasonable loan-to-value ratios. An individual can apply for an equity loan, no matter the type of home he has. It can be a condo, house, apartment, or townhouse.

The maximum amount that you can borrow through a home equity loan depends on your credit score, monthly income, and the appraised value of the collateral, among others. It is possible to borrow up to 100% of the appraised value of the home. Chicago home equity loans can be of two types, closed- and open-end. Closed-end home equity loans generally have fixed rates and can be amortized for periods usually up to 15 years. The open-end loans, also known as HELOC (home equity line of credit) loans, are at a variable interest rate, but here the borrower chooses when and how often to borrow against the equity of the property, with the lender setting an initial limit to the credit line.

But when comparing the two, keep in mind that you cannot simply compare the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for a loan with the APR for a home equity loan because the APRs are figured differently. The APR for a regular loan takes into account the interest rate charged plus points and other finance charges. The APR for a home equity line is based on the periodic interest rate alone. It does not include points or other charges.

Here are the steps you should follow when considering a home equity loan in Chicago:

1) Check your options - home equity loans are not the only method of financing. Remember, if you decide to get a home equity loan and can’t make the payments, the lender may foreclose and you would lose your home.

2) Do the research - if you are keen on getting such a loan, then talk with several lenders, including at least one bank or credit union in your community. Compare their offers. Comparing loan plans can help you get a better deal. Beware of loan terms and conditions that may mean higher costs for you. Keep in mind the following parameters:

-Can you afford the interest rate and monthly payments?

-The period of the loan, or how long you have to pay it back

-Check the penalties for late or missed payments

3) Double check - think twice before signing the contract. Have an attorney review the loan papers and make sure the terms are the same ones you agreed on.



ERNEST

Alan Lim asked:


Home equity loan and refinancing are two excellent ways that can help you manage your finances. However, it may prove difficult to choose one from the other and should depend on what your financial goals are. You can opt for the lower payment schemes of cash-out refinancing, or you can choose the great tax benefits offered by a home equity loan. The choice, however, does not prove to be as simple as this. Here is a comparison of these two types of loans to help you see which one is right for you.

Cash-Out Refinance Loan

Cash-out refinance simply means that you are refinancing your existing mortgage in order to lower your monthly payment and/or your current interest rate, and get some additional cash for other pressing reasons such as for home improvement, renovation, and the likes. If you are lucky to choose the right timing, you may be able to get all these with cash-out refinancing. Say, your home is valued at $300,000 and your existing mortgage balance is $200,000, your home equity remains at $100,000. You are free to borrow the remaining equity as you deem necessary.

Home Equity Loan

Home equity loans are usually provided in two kinds: the home equity line of credit and the home equity installment loan. A home equity line of credit line means that you are borrowing against the value of your home; your home is your collateral to the credit. Home equity plans are usually set at a fixed time; say 10 years but with variable loan rates. Your interest rate and the annual percentage rate of your mortgage can move up and down depending on the market trends. During the specified time, you are free to obtain the cash when you need it, and pay only for what you happen to spend. Some mortgages are offered with payment of full outstanding balance, while others allow repayment over a fixed time.

On the other hand, an installment loan is a loan that has a fixed rate that stays the same all throughout the rest of your home equity loan terms. Also called the closed end home equity loan, you amortize your loan for periods lasting up to about 15 years. In this kind of home equity loan, you usually receive a lump sum at closing depending on your home value, and you can not borrow further afterwards.

Which is better?

Remember that interest rates do not usually behave normally, much as you want them to. When this happens, home equity loans may actually prove cheaper than refinancing, although they are potentially riskier. Choosing what is better between the two should depend on individual circumstances. For example, if you plan to pay off your mortgage and do not need as much money, you can go for a home equity loan to get lower rates and shorter terms. On the other side of the fence, with cash-out refinancing, you can get all your money up front and simply pay off interest and principal on a lowered monthly basis as agreed upon, with no frills. Weigh carefully based on what your financial objectives are and choose one which you think will give you a fairer deal.



NICK