Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Difference Between Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Line of Credit

Using your home equity is a very savvy way to borrow large sums of money at a very low cost. While there are different types of loan products that lenders offer, the two most common and popular are the home equity loan and home equity credit line.

Before jumping into these two types of loan products, it is important to understand the nature of these two types of lending. Two terms that are extremely important are equity and collateral. Equity is a term that is used to describe the difference between the current appraised value of your home and the amount of the money that you owe (mortgage). For instance, if your home is currently valued at $300,000 and you own $100,000, your equity is equal to $200,000.

Collateral is another term that you should be aware of, whether in home equity loans or a home equity line of credit, it is important to note that you are putting up your home as collateral. Collateral is a way to secure your loan. If you are unable to repay your loan, the bank uses your home as collateral and can sell it to recoup its losses.

The main difference between these two different types of lending is that home equity loans are a one time loan for large sum of money. A home equity line of credit is an open account similar to a credit card where you can borrow money at various installments. Another important difference between both products is that the loan usually always has a fixed loan rate. The rate of the loan always stays the same for the life of the loan. In a home equity line of credit, the interest rate is variable and can increase or decrease throughout your repayment.

Most people use these two products very differently. For instance, for people looking to purchase one large item using their home's equity, a loan is preferred. For instance, loans are used for adding an addition to your home or paying for college tuition. A line of credit is usually used for smaller sums of money that are withdrawn over a period of time. For instance, many homeowners might use a line of credit to manage debt or to renovate their home piece by piece over the course of a couple of years instead of all at one time.

Connie Barker is the owner of several financial websites including those dealing with Bad Credit Loans, Personal Loans, and Online Loans

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Barker

Sunday, January 27, 2008

What Makes Home Equity Loans So Attractive?

A home equity loan is a popular way to borrow larger amounts of money from a lending institution using your home as collateral. There are two terms that you should be familiar with when looking into taking out a home equity loan, they are equity and collateral. Equity is the amount of the money that your home is currently worth (appraised value), less any debt (mortgage).

Collateral means that when you take out a loan, you pledge something of significant value (in this case your home). Your home is a guarantee to the bank that you will pay back the loan. If you can not repay the loan, the bank can sell your home to recoup all its losses.

It is important to understand that putting up your home as collateral is a major reason why home equity loans are very attractive to lenders. Lenders find these loans very secure and because they are more secure than other types of loans they are able to give you extremely attractive rates. Usually home equity loans are at or a drop higher than normal mortgage rates. Plus in many cases, the interest paid for these types of loans are tax deductible.

Another reason they are attractive is that it allows home owners to borrow large sums of money, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. You usually can't borrow that much money on a credit card or other type of loan. For instance, if you would like to renovate your home, go on a vacation of a lifetime, send your child or children to college or even use it as an investment or seed money to put down on other businesses, these types of loans can empower an individual very easily.

Home equity is also attractive to many homeowners because the repayment schedule for many of these types of loans can be 5 years, 15 years or even 30 years. For homeowners that would like to borrow large sums of money, but don't want to be burdened with large monthly payments, they make it very easy to budget monthly payments over a long period of time.

While home equity loans are extremely attractive loan products, it is important to make sure that they are right for you and your families specific circumstance. This loan is essentially a second mortgage and if you are unable to pay these types of loans, you can literally lose your home.

Connie Barker is the owner of several financial websites including those dealing with Bad Credit Loans, Personal Loans, and Online Loans

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Barker

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Home Equity Loans - A Low Cost Option For Financial Assistance

Your home may yield a much comfortable option to avail a financial help. The equity of your home can be used to arrange a good sum for your needs. You can find this option very comfortable; as such borrowers are always preferred for granting financial help. The equity of the home is used as collateral and you are provided with a low cost financial grant. You can avail these financial help in the form for home equity loans.

Home is one of the preferred options that are used to avail a loan. Usually your home has some obligations towards the lender and not free for its total value. So, when you need a further financial grant the equity of the home is used as collateral. The equity of a home is that value which is left after total obligations with a home. This means equity is the real asset for you when you go for loan against your home.

They can be used for a number of purposes you have. You can invest the amount on buying a car, renovation of the home, wedding cost, luxury holiday and debt consolidation.

Amount is not a matter of constraint with home equity loans. It is totally dependant on the equity's value of your home. You can avail up-to 100% of your equity's value as amount. However, the range of amount that is generally provided with them vary from £ 3000 to £ 100000. For the repayment you always get a convenient schedule for it. Here, you are provided with a long stretched repayment durian that can be of up to 25 years.

You always get a fair rate with home equity loans. The rate of interest is lower to other loans. You can also find a differed rate of interest with different lenders. So, you can conduct an online comparison to find the best option. Several lenders are providing services online to reduce the hassle at processing.

You can avail them even if you have bad credit. Borrowers with CCJs, IVAs, arrears, defaults, etc. are not deprived for this loan. However, you can be charged with a somewhat higher rate of interst for this.

You always need a loan that incurs a low cost for you. With the home equity loans you find it easily. Moreover, the equity of the home increases with the market value, that eventually reduces your burden to a considerable level.

Dina Wilson is an expert loan advisor at online home improvement loan. She has done MSc Management and Finance from University of Whales.To find Home Equity Loans, home improvement loan, home loans, online home loans visit http://www.online-home-improvement-loan.co.uk/

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Home Equity Loan vs Refinancing

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 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 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 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.

Want to know how to go about with your current finances? Need some financial advice on what to do with your home mortgage? We can help! Visit Home Equity Loan or Home Equity for more information.

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