Ken Charnly asked:


 A home equity loan is a boon to the homeowner who wants to avail himself of a loan in addition to his original loan. He can get the loan by virtue of using the equity in his home. Equity is the market value of the property minus any outstanding mortgage or loans one has on it. The amount of money you can borrow depends on the equity amount of your property.

You can take out a home equity loan when you want to finance home improvements, or pay for your education or medical bills. You can even use the home equity loan to buy a new vehicle or go for a trip.  The home equity loan can also work as a regular source of income which can entitle people to pay for their residential care. These loans are recommended for long-term financial goals because you receive the amount of money in one huge lump sum.

When you choose your home equity loan you should consider your options carefully, because your home is at risk if you default on repayment of the loan. Also, you should be wary of the fact that some home equity loan arrangements are being operated by conmen who want to make a quick profit. The recommended thing is to check the veracity of your lender with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

It is good that you have a lot of lenders offering you better options on home equity loans because you can exercise more bargaining power, but it is better to know that the deal you get is legitimate and worth the risk you are taking for the equity in your home.  A little bit of research and seeking the advice of knowledgeable friends is a step in the right direction.

 



STEWART

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

Andrew Bicknell asked:


A mortgage refinancing home equity loan is simply a loan that you take out to pay off an existing mortgage with a new loan that is more financially friendly to your financial goals. The purpose of this type of loan should be to help you save money. To do so you should consider the implications of total interest costs, annual percentage rates and repayment period of your home equity refinance mortgage loan.

Refinance of your home loan at a good refinance rate can open up a lot of possibilities. Depending on the refinance plan you choose, you can either save the extra money through rate and term refinancing, or get the cash immediately with cash-out refinance. Since you are getting money through refinance that you would ordinarily be spending on your loan repayments, it makes a lot of sense to invest that money back in you property in order to raise its overall value.

You can choose to use a mortgage refinance cash out amounts for any personal purposes based on your needs. Making small or large improvements around your property can drastically increase your home equity. Whether it’s interior improvements, an addition, landscaping, or simply restorations, you will surely enjoy the benefits of the higher home equity long after work is completed. Additions are always a good bet for increasing home equity. Landscaping can also go a long way towards making property more desirable, and therefore should not be overlooked as a way to spend home equity refinance money.

Mortgage interest rates are determined by several factors, such as the down payment being made, credit score, loan amount applied for, and the policies that the lender follows. When you refinance your mortgage, you may be pleasantly surprised by the low mortgage rates or your ability to reduce your monthly mortgage payments. When applying for a home equity mortgage refinancing loan make sure that you deal with a lender that offers you the best terms at lowest rates.

Your credit report will show them your credit history, whether you’ve paid your bills on time and who you may be in debt to. It is advisable to carry out a credit check before you refinance your home equity loan, although too many inquiries can lower your credit score. If you have a poor credit, there are still lenders who may refinance your home equity mortgage loan.

Consider the following prior to applying for a home equity refinance: Ask your lenders about transaction fees, points and closing costs. If these fees are exorbitant, it may not be cost effective to refinance your home equity loan. If you plan to stay in your house for a short period of time it normally doesn’t make sense to refinance.

If you are thinking of doing a home equity refinance then do some research and get at least four quotes from reputable lenders to see which package may work best for you. Make sure you get multiple quotes, because shopping around can save you a lot of money. With risk free quotes, you can learn about loan costs without hurting your credit score.



RILEY