southernserendipiti asked:


I’m looking to buy my first house, and I want to seem reasonably intelligent before I sit down with a mortgage broker. If I am interested in purchasing a home in need of a few, minor repairs, can the cost of repairs be included in the home loan? Or, say: for aesthtic purposes, the lawn needs to be sodded…let’s say…to prevent erosion, etcetera. Can that be included in the loan? Or, do both of those instances fall under the category of home equity loans? Ahhh - here’s an additional question: Just for curiosity’s sake, how long must you own a home before you qualify for a home equity loan?

HERSHEL

Bruce Owens asked:


Home equity loans can allow Canadian homeowners to leverage the gains they made in what was until recently a red-hot housing market into investments in other sectors. Home ownership, which was once the key fundamental to Canadians’ wealth accumulation strategies, while still important, will likely take a back seat as a strategy in the near term as investment savvy home owners shift their accumulated wealth into other markets. Leveraging built up home equity is a highly advantageous method of making this switch in investment tactics.

The most recent economic forecasts indicate that Canada’s overall housing market has settled into what will be a period of slow growth. Home owners who saw the equity in their homes grow by leaps and bounds as Canada enjoyed its longest sustained housing boom since the Second World War are now sitting on substantial capital that is locked up in their home. But the return on this capital will only grow moderately over the next several years and it is not clear that gains in housing prices will necessarily outstrip inflation.

The latest view from economists at the TD Bank Financial Group is that sales of new and existing homes are likely to continue to decline in the near term and housing prices will only increase modestly. TD’s forecast is that “sales are likely to continue to decline in the coming quarters and price growth will slip to 2% on a national average basis in 2008 and rise only to 3.5% in 2009.” They note that this national average will vary by regional markets, with some local markets that saw the biggest run ups in housing prices - such as those in Alberta and British Columbia - experiencing a drop in housing prices as regional markets adjust. But, they predict, “Most markets will see low to mid single-digit growth.”

The Financial Post reports that most leading economist are expecting the Bank of Canada “to keep interest rates at 3% in 2008 before hiking them in 2009 as inflation becomes more of a concern and the U.S. economy picks up.” Of course, as Canada’s central banker hikes its lending rate, banks, trust companies and other financial institutions will raise their prime rates in due course.

With current low interest rates, homeowners looking for more continued and substantial growth in their existing assets can take out a home equity loan for investment purposes and purchase a risk balanced investment portfolio that is highly likely to carry a much better return than the moderate housing price increases that are forecast for the rest of 2008 and into 2009. The bonus is that the interest paid out on a home equity loan taken out for investment purposes is tax deductible. Effectively, the tax savings a typical homeowner/investor is likely to get will in most instances offset a large portion of the borrowing costs. If gains on the investment outstrip, as they should, the moderate gains forecast for housing purposes, homeowners who leverages their home equity in this manner will see real growth in their overall assets.

An abundance of caution should of course be used when leveraging your home equity in this manner. Ensuring that the investment portfolio you choose is well balanced is a key. Working with an experienced and knowledgeable financial planner is highly recommended, as is working with a mortgage broker to access the best available rates and terms for a home equity loan while interest rates remain at their current low level.



WENDELL

David Evermon asked:


The Internet presents a wealth of information about home equity loans and companies that offer them via online means. Since the Web is now considered a legitimate channel for financial transactions, the information you can obtain online (granted that the site is the real deal) will help save you time and money against having to personally visit the bank or the lender for a loan. As long as you have the right documents, pass all the requirements and have a good credit rating, you can successfully obtain a equity loan online.

You can choose from two kinds of home equity loans. The standard home equity loan works like a traditional loan. You will be given a lump sum based on your home’s (collateral’s) equity, which you will need to pay in installments under a specific and agreed time frame. The interest rate for this type of loan is fixed all throughout the transaction’s duration.

The other kind of equity loans is the home equity line of credit. Most people find this more convenient than the standard home equity loan because though you are allowed a maximum amount to borrow, you may choose not to take out everything all at once.

For instance, if your home has a $50,000 equity, you can borrow just $20,000 now and then follow with the rest later. The interest rates also vary depending on the time you borrowed a particular amount. This will afford you greater freedom in managing your debts.

You should put some time and energy into looking for the right loan for you, and you should try and get as much information about the loan as you possibly can. Of course, you can’t rely on just this article to tell you everything you need to know about home equity loans and what options you have. Here are some of the top home loan providers you can find online.

The internet is a great way of finding your loan sources, it contrary to the past many online businesses have nicer and more flexible deals that companies ever had before. You can do some research for home equity loans providers online. A quick Google or Yahoo search will have you swimming through hundreds and thousands of companies that all guarantee to give the best rates and services. However, you must always be vigilant and careful about what companies you choose to do business with.

Remember, while the Internet is increasing in legitimacy, there still are fly-by-night home loan companies whose only goal is to dupe you into giving them your personal information. Transact only with the mortgage lender that has been in operation for quite a while already and whose reputation is strong and positive. Doing business with the wrong people could not only put you in deeper debt but could also cost you your home.



COLEMAN

Renold asked:


Hi all,

I want to share some information with you regarding the benifits of colorado home equity loans.

Home equity loans are considered secured loans. A Colorado home equity loan will both allow you to access your home’s equity as a owner. A Home Equity Loan has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to borrow money, especially with the continued increases in interest rates on credit cards. A home equity loan is a type of loan in which the borrower uses the equity in his home as collateral. Colorado home equity loans are also called as second mortgage loans. To get a Colorado Home Equity Loan The interest on a second mortgage is usually tax deductible and also payment schedule can be arranged over a specific amount of time, which allows the home owner the convenience of scheduled payments. If you have a great mortgage interest rate and don’t want to refinance your existing mortgage, a home equity loan might be the way to go.

A home equity loan is a second loan that you take out in addition to your first mortgage . It allows you to get cash from your home’s equity. These loans are sometimes useful for families to help finance major home repairs, medical bills or college educations. Colorado Home equity loans offer several advantages. Interest rates tend to be lower over other types of consumer loans. For more information on Colorado Home Equity Loans . Your home equity is the percentage of the home that you own. Equity means the difference between the current value of the home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. you can borrow money against that equity in the form of a second mortgage or home equity loan. 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. Banks and other mortgage lenders generally like issuing home equity loans. For most people, their home is their biggest single asset. The borrower benefits from the lower interest rates offered with “safer” loans.

Compare the interest rates from different mortgage lenders and make a decision. So many lenders will approach you but try to get a loan from a reliable mortgage company which will offer you the lowest Colorado home equity loan rates. Colorado Home Equity Loans are most commonly second mortgage loans, although they can be held in first 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 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.



JAMAL

Thomas Lonsdale asked:


Bad credit home equity loans are special home equity loans available to people with a low credit score. If you have been eyeing a new home or wish to take a new loan to pay off high interest debts, then bad credit home equity loans are something you should consider applying for.

Fixing Of Interest Rates

Your credit score or FICO score is used to determine the interest rate you will have to pay. You gain FICO points depending on your ability to repay loans, your salary and assets. You lose points when you default, make late payments or file for bankruptcy. Scores range from 350 to 850 points.

Those who have a high credit score pay low interest rates. People who have a score of less than 600 are usually asked to pay a high rate of interest or denied loans. However, they can always avail of bad credit home equity loans.

What Is A Bad Credit Home Equity Loan?

Originally, home equity loans were designed to pay for renovations and add on structures to your home. However, as lenders never check where the money is going, you can use it for almost any purpose. People with low credit scores usually go in for bad credit home equity loans to pay off their debts. The only difference between bad credit home equity loans and regular home equity loans is the slightly higher rate of interest.

Lending companies and banks are always ready to dole out cash as bad credit home equity loans. As the loan is secured by a mortgage on your house, the lender faces very little risk. If you are unable to pay the loan in the future, they simple repossess your house to recover their dues. Plus the high interest rates and loan charges make it quite profitable for them.

Advantages To People With Bad Credit

Bad credit home equity loans are extremely useful to people who are stuck in a cycle of debt or in a debt crisis. If you have multiple high interest rate arrears like credit card debts, then it makes sense to use a low interest home equity loan to pay it off. The advantages are -



You will have to deal with just one creditor - the home equity loan company.

You will make smaller monthly payments



 

As you pay off the previous loans, your credit rating will increase. This debt consolidation function of bad credit home equity loans is the reason why it is become so popular today.

 



KENDRICK

Ken Charnly asked:


A home equity loan allows you to borrow money using the equity in your home as security. By equity we mean the market value minus any mortgage or loan amount attached to it. You can borrow the money as a loan, as you have paid down the original home loan in order to build up equity.

To make things clearer, let’s say you had originally bought your home for $200,000 and you have managed to pay the loan amount down to $175,000. The home has now appreciated in value and the cost of the home as per the current rates is worth $250,000. You can potentially take out a home equity loan for $75,000.

There are quite a few benefits for the borrower as well as the lender for home equity loans. For the borrower, he or she can get a lower interest rate on a home equity loan compared to other types of loans. In addition, if the borrower has bad credit, he or she may still be able to get a home equity loan.

The lender does not have a cause for worry because the borrower is using the equity built on the home as collateral. In case the borrower defaults paying back the loan, the lender can sell it off to recover the money from the existing equity. For the benefit of the borrower, the interest payable on the loan is tax deductible. Usually the home equity loan gives you the benefit to borrow a bigger amount compared to other types of loans.

If you are planning for a large expenditure or investment like buying a car, funding for education, or planning a trip, you will find the home equity loan quite helpful. The interest rates are fairly low compared to other kinds of loans, including credit cards.  In some cases, you may also be able to consolidate debts that have a high interest rate and pay them off with a lower interest home equity loan.

 



WILLIAM

Johns Tiel asked:


Possessing a home means a lot more than just having a shelter of your own. The equity of your home is a far stronger weapon which you realise only in the times of need. The benefits of your home can now be reaped easily if you borrow secured home equity loan. All needs can now be fulfilled easily with money available through these loans.

To avail the benefit of the equity that exists in the home, the owner first need to know what equity actually is. The equity in your home means the actual cost of the house in the market minus any dues that are remaining on it. These dues may be any remaining mortgages on the house or even any money that has been borrowed against the house in the past.

Through the home equity loans which are secured in nature, the borrowers can avail benefits of two types. If they need a big amount in one go, then the usual home equity loan will work best for them. However, if they require money in small amounts at short intervals, then they need not go for the above mentioned option. The HELOC or the home equity line of credit is the option for them. Through this option, the money is made available to them whenever and the amount that they need.

Secured home equity loans are great ways to borrow money for those borrowers too that have a bad credit history. Since they are pledging the equity of their house, the rates of interest that they obtain are very low. This provides for a lower burden and timely repayment will also help them in the future since it improves their credit history. With online application of these loans, the borrowers can obtain lower rates of interest in wake of the stiff competition online.

Secured home equity loans are a great respite to people who wish to borrow large amounts at lower rates. Also, the convenience of borrowing at will is also available through the loans.



RICKEY

Katja M asked:


My mother is running out of money (she is selling her house) and it is coming down to the only money she has is in the equity of her house (@$500,000). She currently has a mortgage at 7% for 50,600. She is considering a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. I see home equity loans for about 7% and HE Line of Credits for 6.5% (quick searches that I’ve seen). Which is a better choice if she sells her house in the next 6months-1year and should she pay off her mortgage passed on these interest rates on the HEL and HELOC?
Any suggestions is greatly appreciated!
She is 69 years old…I shy away from a reverse mortgage due to the large fees that are involved in setting it up. The house is currently on sale.

ALEX

Ken Black asked:


Home equity loans are especially useful for homeowners that want to free up some of their capital tied up in the investment of their homes, and use it to their advantage. Here are the details.

These home refinance loans come in two main types, either of a one lump sum payment, or a line of equity credit that can be drawn on anytime.

Equity is up to 85% of the market value of your home, less what you already owe on it from your mortgage. For those who bought their homes some time ago and their homes have increased in value, this can be quite a considerable amount of money.

So let’s look at some of the advantages of having a home equity loan secured by your home:

1. Free Up Money - with a home equity loan, you can free up money that is tied up in your home, without having to sell it, giving you the opportunity to have things that you normally wouldn’t have the money to fund.

2. Flexibility - a home equity loan can be tailor-made to suit your personal needs, and budget. Some of the choices that you have include having ARM or fixed interest rates, lump sum equity paid to you, or a line of credit allowing you to use the money only when you need it, and pay interest only on what you have borrowed.

You can also negotiate the terms in years for your equity loan. This means that the longer that you take the loan out for, the less your repayments are.

3. Consolidate Debts - by having a home equity loan, you can consolidate all of your debts in the one loan, which means that you will be paying less on interest rates, and charges. Home equity for debt consolidation can also be used to lower monthly repayments on consolidated debt by taking the loan over a longer term.

Many people use home equity loans to consolidate consumer debts such as student loans, credit cards, store cards, and personal loans, which are unsecured credit that attract high interest rates.

4. Repair Credit - home refinance loans are also a great way to repair your credit. If you are unable to get credit because of a bad credit history, chances are, if you are able to afford the monthly repayments, you can still get the funds you need. This is because this kind of financing is secured by your home, making you, as a borrower, less of a risk to lending institutions.

Over time, you can repair your credit history by making regular repayments on time, which will increase the likelihood of being able to get more credit in the future.

5. Investments and Improvements

If you are looking for a way to improve the value of your home by doing some renovations, additions, or get deposit money to invest in other assets, an equity loan can be ideal.

Additionally, if you are planning to sell your home, but need to do some improvements prior to putting it on the market, an equity loan is also a wise choice.

As you can see, a home equity loan can enable you to do the things you want and need to do and make your life better. Look into this today.



EDDIE

Stefan Hyross asked:


A home equity can be a great way to to get some money fast. Home equity loans are also sometimes called second mortgage. They allow a homeowner to borrow money from the equity they have in their home. Home equity loans can be for as much as $100,000 allowing homeowner to borrow to do renovations, pay off debt, etc. The interest on a home equity loans is tax deductible which has made this type of loan quite popular in the 1990s. Let’s look at how they work. Home equity loans come in two types. There are fixed rate home equity loans and line of credit home equity loans. In both cases, the terms vary from five to fifteen years. However, in both cases, the loans must be repaid in full in the event that the house is sold. The fixed rate home equity loans option gives the home owner a lump sum payment from the equity. The home owner will then repay the loans over a pre-determined period of time at a fixed interest rate. In most cases, the repayment is made monthly and the interest rate and the monthly payments remain the same over the life of the loan. In the case of the line of credit home equity loan, the principle is much the same as with a credit card. In fact, this type of loan often comes with a credit card. The home owner will be notified of the maximum limit of the line of credit and he or she can spend the money either by using the credit card or the cheques that the lender provided. Just like credit cards, line of credit home equity loans work on a variable rate of interest, which is determined monthly. Repayment of the loan must be made monthly, based on the amount borrowed that month. Once the life of the line of credit is over, the outstanding balance must be repaid in full. Home equity loans are a great source of money for home owner that need access to cash quickly. The money can used for anything at all but most borrowers will use the money to do home improvements, send kids to college, pay off another loan, etc. Home equity loans can be very appealing as their interest rate are almost always lower than other types of loans and certainly lower than credit cards. Someone with a credit card loan would benefit from taking a home equity loan on their home in order to repay the credit card debt. Not only will the home owner reduce his interest rate, the loans will be consolidated into one month bill and the interest rate on the home equity loan is partially tax deductible. Home equity loans are a great financial tool. Particularly for home owners looking to do renovations or with unforeseen expenses. They provide fairly easy access to money at a relatively low interest rate. However, remember that the loan must be repaid and that if you sell your home, the amount that you borrowed will not be profit in your pocket.



TIM