Saturday, March 14, 2009

All About Home Equity Loan Benefits and Risks

In the world of home equity loans there are undeniably two sides to deal with - those with benefits and those with risks. Through tapping into home equity values, fortunes have been made and loses have also been tallied. Digging into one's home equity is thus a daring and uncertain motion. Whether taking from one's home equity is due to household financial reasons, personal business desires or investing pursuits know that there are of course benefits, but also, weighted risks involved.

Notice: Home Equity Loans Are Not Without Risk

Typically, when any type of loan is taken out the individual taking out that loan should be aware of the risks involved. In the case of home equity loans, this same notion carries over, specifically for interest-only home equity lines of credit or what are commonly known as interest-only HELOCs. These types of loans are of a great advantage to individuals looking for some serious funding. HELOCs offer home owners a substantial amount of funds all at a fair rate. Yet, these types of loans aren't completely fool proof - they do have risks.

First, Consider The Benefits Attached to HELOCs

Home equity lines of credit are, on some level, quite similar to credit cards. Thus, what occurs when you get a HELOC is a bit akin to what happens with you get a credit card. A credit limit is given to you and you can take funds from it as needed or as seen fit. And the only interest paid here is on the amount of money you actually use or borrow. The only difference here between a HELOC and a credit card is that credit cards are unsecured, whereas money in a HELOC is secured in and against the equity value built up in your home.

Another benefit exists in the fact that if you are unhappy with your already reasonable HELOC rate that many lenders or banks will actually allow you to convert over to a fixed-rate HELOC; this is of course only possible if you feel the variable rate has inflated a bit. Better still, since these loans are interest-only types, payments are allowed to be focused toward only the interest for a specified length of time, ranging anywhere from the first five to ten years of the loan's life.

Benefits Are Initially Yours, But What Comes Afterward?

Once the start up and introductory periods are over a few things change. Your lender will up the amount due on your required payments, making loan payments rise and forcing you to initiate the paying off the substance of the loan's principal.

This said, it's essential that you know ahead of time -being before you apply for and get an interest-only HELOC- that you'll be able to afford the newly increased payment amounts once they're put forth. If you're using wishful thinking and banking on acquiring extra money (enough to satisfy the inflated payments) down the line then you shouldn't get a HELOC. Work within your budget and map out your financial future making sure that paying them from beginning to end is within your realistic means. If you don't prepare ahead of time and jump right in, it's quite possible to fall behind on making mortgage payments, which could in effect, smudge your credit and worse case, lead you to forfeit your home entirely.

Most importantly, you need to be mindful. Be aware of both the benefits and risks involved with taking out a home equity loan, whether it's an interest-only HELOC or not.

Equity Based Loans For Your Secure Future

The word 'Equity' has different meanings and connotations, but when used in connection with loans, it means the unencumbered value of your home. Usually, people take loans against the value of their homes. If someone applies for a loan for the second or third time then the value of his home available for loan purpose would get decreased by the amount of loan already taken on it. The value which is available for loan purpose is called Equity.

The concept of Equity has significance in case of loans taken against property. A loan can be raised in many ways like overdraft, loan against securities, shares and stocks, etc. However, lenders are more interested in giving you loans against equity in your home. This is considered to be the best and safest way to lend as far lenders are concerned. They can even lend a large amount of money, say up to 250,000 pounds.

The loan-to-value ratio in most of the secured loan cases remains around 70-85%. In some case lenders also offer 100% LTV, out of which 80 per cent is secured loan and other 20 percent is generally unsecured. However, these loan offers have been discarded by most of the lenders after the worsening credit situation in the UK financial markets. Another important aspect that is taken into account while offering secured loans is your credit rating. A good credit rating denotes that the borrower is having a good past conduct in the financial matters. Such a person can be trustfully handed over a loan.

Are secured loans always advantageous for the borrowers? Yes, it is a reality. The conditions attached to these loans are so much favourable to the borrowers that none other loan can match it. As far as loan eligibility is concerned, it is highest in case of these loans. The past few years have recorded a significant increase in the home prices in the UK. This reflects in the current home prices that on an average hovers around 200,000. Even if a lender offers 80% LTV, the loan eligibility will come to a whopping 150,000 pounds, and that too, at very competitive rates.

A borrower should compare secured loans available in the market before taking any final decision. It is always in the best interest of the borrowers to do research and take any loan with due care and consideration.

About The Author: The author is a business writer specializing in finance and credit products and has written authoritative articles on the finance industry. He has done his masters in Business Administration and is currently assisting ask4loan.co.uk as a finance specialist.

For more information related to personal loans: http://www.ask4loan.co.uk

Mortgage Refinance Information FHA and VA Streamline Refinancing

One frequently overlooked feature of an FHA or VA mortgage is streamline refinancing. Streamline refinancing is a unique and extremely desirable feature of FHA and VA mortgages that allows hassle free mortgage refinancing. Here are several things you need to know about FHA and VA streamline mortgage refinancing.

Homeowners with FHA and VA mortgages can refinance their loans without credit checks, appraisals, qualifying ratios, or income verification. Streamline mortgage refinancing can save you a lot of money because there is no cost for the transaction. The new mortgage must lower your monthly payment and the catch is that you cannot take cash back act closing. Your must also not have any late mortgage payments for the previous 12 months.

One example where FHA and VA mortgages saved many homeowners from a mortgage nightmare was the refinancing boom of the 1990s. Many homeowners used Adjustable Rate Mortgages to purchase homes in the 80s, and when the recession hit the value of their homes dropped as much as 30%. The drop in property value prevented many homeowners from refinancing because they were upside down, owing more than their homes were worth. Homeowners with FHA and VA mortgages did not have this problem because they qualified for streamline mortgage refinancing.

Streamline mortgage refinancing will allow you to convert your Adjustable Rate Mortgage to a fixed interest rate, even if the resulting payment will be higher than what you are currently paying. If you are concerned that rising mortgage interest rates will make your mortgage payment unmanageable, streamline mortgage refinancing will give you cost-effective peace of mind. Homeowners with tight budgets and a low tolerance for financial risk should consider streamline mortgage refinancing to avoid payment shock.

You can learn more about your mortgage refinancing options, including costly mistakes to avoid with streamline refinancing by registering for a free, six-part video tutorial.

To get your FREE six-part Mortgage Refinancing Tutorial, visit RefiAdvisor.com using the link below.

Louie Latour specializes in showing homeowners how to avoid costly mortgage mistakes and predatory lenders. To get your hands on this free video tutorial: "Mortgage Refinancing - What You Need to Know," which teaches strategies for finding the best mortgage and saving thousands of dollars in the process, visit Refiadvisor.com.

Claim your free mortgage refinancing tutorial today at: http://www.refiadvisor.com

Streamline Mortgage Refinancing

Mortgage Refinancing to Pay for a Child's Education

Paying for your childs college tuition is very expensive. Many parents save for college throughout the childs life; however, the rising costs of tuition is stretching many families savings to the limit. If this describes your financial situation, refinancing your mortgage and taking cash back could be the answer to your childs tuition expenses. Here are several tips to help you refinance your mortgage without losing your shirt in the process.

For many attending college, student loans are the only options available to them for financing their education. There are other options available for parents that will not place a financial burden on their children upon graduation. Refinancing your mortgage has many advantages over taking out student loans; because the mortgage is secured by your home the interest rate will lower.
Homeowners refinance their mortgages for a variety of different reasons; paying for college is a common reason for refinancing the loan. There are risks associated with refinancing your mortgage loan. If you fall behind on the payments the lender will foreclose on the mortgage and take your home.

If you have decided to finance your childs education using the equity in your home, refinancing will save you money over other types of home equity loans. It pays to comparison shop from a variety of different mortgage lenders. When you compare loan offers, make sure you compare all aspects of the loans, not just the interest rates. You can learn more about your mortgage refinancing options by registering for a free mortgage guidebook.

To get your free mortgage guidebook visit RefiAdvisor.com using the link below.

Louie Latour specializes in showing homeowners how to avoid common mortgage mistakes and predatory lenders. For a free copy of "Mortgage Refinancing: What You Need to Know," which teaches strategies to find the best mortgage and save thousands of dollars in the process, visit Refiadvisor.com.

Claim your free guidebook today at: http://www.refiadvisor.com

Mortgage Refinance College Tuition

Home Equity Differences And Options To Ponder

The difference connecting a home finance and a home equity finance lies mainly in that the home equity finance, also known as a second or even third mortgage, is given at a higher interest rate. Let us take a second and understand tax deductions for second mortgage and home equity finance interest. Seasoned mortgage brokers and lenders know they must always be working with up-to-date, truthful and qualified home purchase leads, refinance leads, debt consolidation leads, second mortgage leads, home equity leads, and other finance prospects to generate an invariable stream of new clients and remain successful.

General queries among lenders are that leads they obtain are out of date or inaccurate, including such things as outdated addresses, phone numbers, borrower credit ratings and whether or not the borrower still owns the home. Home mortgage finance refinance is an option where the borrower takes out another mortgage using the same property as collateral. While selecting for debt consolidation mortgage finance you the option for selecting either a mortgage refinancing or home equity finance.

Most of the time, the homeowners use the second mortgage finance to pay for debt consolidation, home improvement, college education, or other expenses. When you consider the thousands of dollars you can save by finding a better mortgage rate, spending a few hours comparing finance quotes and even types of lending package doesn't seem so bad.

When shopping for a mortgage finance the Annual Percentage rate is a helpful for comparing finance offers; however, it does not provide a breakdown of all costs associated with the finance. Legislation in the United States, 'The Truth in Lending Act,' requires mortgage lenders to post the Annual Percentage rates for all of their finance offers. When you evaluate finance offers you should be careful of the customer service you receive; however, base your decision on the mortgage terms and interest prices rather than just the service.

Another way to better your monthly payments by using a mortgage finance consolidation service is by lengthening the term of the finance. A home Equity Installment finance is a fixed mortgage rate finance, which means the annual percentage rate (APR) and monthly payment will stay the same for the life of your finance. A piggyback mortgage is also known as an 80-10-10 finance because it includes a first mortgage for 80% of the purchase generally offered at a better rate, a second trust finance (second mortgage) for 10% at a slightly higher rate and the residual 10% as a down payment.

Before taking a refinance mortgage finance, check a number of brokers and select one who is giving the best terms at the lowest rates. After taking a finance or a mortgage, make sure to check every few years the possibility of refinance or remortgage. You can learn more about finding the best mortgage or home equity finance, including how to avoid general mistakes, by registering for a free mortgage guidebook.

You can learn more about your mortgage financing options, including general mortgage mistakes to avoid, by registering for a free mortgage guidebook. You can learn more about saving money on your second mortgage and avoiding general homeowner mistakes by registering for a free mortgage guidebook. Unlike refinancing and taking cash back, a home equity finance is a completely separate mortgage secured by your home.

Only in extreme circumstances should you even consider a home equity finance that completely strips your property of any value over mortgage total. Good finance officers will talk about and consider factors such as how long you plan on dwelling in this home, and how much of a payment you can afford each month for a mortgage payment. Even though a mortgage finance is a secured finance, bare in mind that a past liquidation will show on your credit report when you apply for a refinance home finance.

For the best information about free mortgage leads visit our website for more information on Internet Mortgage Leads

Refinance Bad Debt Mortgage

People suffering with bad credit often feel that there is no point applying for a mortgage refinance because financial institutions are not going to approve it. However, this is not a positive approach because there are many financial institutions in the market that do approve mortgage refinance loan applications for people with bad credit.

Once your application is approved for a refinance loan, you can easily improve your credit record. But for that to happen, you have to make sure that you payoff previous debts and spend properly.

Cash-out mortgage refinance

It has been noticed that individuals apply for a mortgage refinance loan in order to minimize rate of interest and consolidate debt. If your main objective is to consolidate debt then a cash-out refinance can do the trick for you.

The best part about cash-out refinance is that it gives homeowners an option to not only refinance their mortgage but also get extra money from their equity. It is worth mentioning in this regard that this extra money is added up into the new mortgage amount, which in turn increases the principle balance. At the time of closing, you will get a lump sum of money for paying off debts.

It can take two or three years if you try to payoff credit card debts and other kinds of debts. The time period can increase further due to high transaction fees. You can use the money that you received through refinancing to get rid of these credit card balances and payoff other loans. Your credit history will improve once you payoff debts completely. By following this route, your credit score will also improve and your bad debt mortgage refinance will be no more.

Sara Sentor
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