Refinancing loan » Home Equity Loans

Refinance vs Home Equity Loan

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:46:59 +0000

If you find yourself in need of a large sum of money for some reason, you may be considering using the equity in your home by either doing a cash-out refinance or getting a home equity loan in order to gain access to the money you need.

With the federal government beginning to slowly lower interest rates, you may be wondering if you should do a cash-out refinance in order to get that lower interest rate as well as gain access to the money you have in equity. This may be a tempting situation, but a lower interest rate is only one of the things that you should take into consideration.

When you refinance your home, you are taking out an entirely new mortgage. You use this new mortgage in order to pay off your original mortgage. In the case of a cash-out refinance, you borrow more on your home than the original mortgage balance, using your equity as collateral. You can then use the money left over after the refinance is completed to do anything you’d like. You can pay off credit cards, take a vacation, make home improvements, etc.

There are drawbacks to cash-out refinancing. First of all, your mortgage balance will be bigger and will most likely be extending your loan term. Mortgages are written with either 15 year or 30 year terms. If you only have 8 years before you pay off your mortgage, refinancing to even a 15 year mortgage is nearly doubling your loan term.

There are also considerable fees involved when you refinance. It would be worth your time, and sometimes a great deal of money, to find the best deal on fees that you can find.

With a home equity loan you are using the equity in your home as collateral on a loan. Home equity loans can be for a set amount or you can get a home equity line of credit, which is an open-ended loan that can be used just as you would use a credit card, keeping in mind that when you use that line of credit, you are using the equity in your home.

Home equity loans are easier to get than a refinance, especially if you have bad credit. The interest rate is also usually lower than a refinance, and the payments sometimes qualify as being tax deductible.

No matter whether you choose a cash-out refinance or a home equity loan, be sure to do some research on the companies you are considering working with. The best way to choose a good company to work with is to ask your friends, family and coworkers for recommendations. Ask not only about the process itself, but about how they were treated by the people they were working with. Were they rushed into decisions, or did they feel that they were given good information so that they could make the final decisions themselves? Remember that you are the customer, and when you are taking a large amount of money out against your home, you shouldn’t be rushed into anything.

By: J Suffie

FHA Home Mortgage Loans – Refinance Adjustable Rates and Debt

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:35:36 +0000

Homeowners across the nation continue to turn to cash out refinance and home equity loans for paying off high rate credit cards that are escalating out of control. The Federal Reserve lowered key rates again yesterday, but many homeowners just can’t take the combination of rising adjustable mortgage rates at the same as the increasing interest rates from their credit card companies. Unfortunately, recent changes to the bankruptcy laws have led to minimum credit card payments being doubled by the bank lenders who issued the credit. As consumer debt grows so to do the worries of homeowners across the nation who may be facing a foreclosure on their home. It makes sense to utilize the equity you have left to help refinance an eliminate the debts that are causing you the most pain.

Bankruptcy used to be the way people got out from under burdensome credit card debt. But, under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) of 2005 filing for bankruptcy is prohibitively expensive, complicated and time consuming. This may be why fixed rate home equity loans have become popular methods for refinancing high-interest credit card debt, particularly for those with low credit scores.

Critics suggest that credit card accounts are not secured by your home. But then, the interest is not tax deductible. Most first or second mortgage loans carry mortgage interest that is tax deductible. Home equity loans are calculated with simple interest terms and revolving credit cards are calculated with compounding interest.

While credit card advocates point out that the loan terms for refinance and home equity loans are typically longer than credit cards, they are not forthcoming with the penalty rates and additional costs added to the compounding interest. Many consumers are beginning to realize that fixed interest terms are more realistic for actually paying off your debts.

Borrower like the home refinance loans, because they can get a reduced interest rate that offers an affordable payment. The adjustable rate mortgages have caused a real stir in 2008 as foreclosure and payment default rates have reached record highs in states like California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia and Massachusetts. With new FHA initiatives, homeowners can refinance their ARM with a FHA home mortgage that now allows cash back and debt consolidation. FHA used to limit home refinancing to rate and term guidelines that prohibited any cash back or bill consolidation. FhA also allows bad credit, limited credit and loans for first time home buyers.

By: Maria Ny

Florida Home Equity Loans – Refinancing a Home Equity Loan

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:21:15 +0000

During the last five years, Florida home values have practically doubled in cities like Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Clearwater, and Sarasota. Many homeowners reaped the benefits during this time and borrowed from the equity in their home. If you are part of this crowd, now may be a good time to consider refinancing your Florida home equity loan. While refinancing may not be right for everyone, it can be very beneficial to some. Good reasons to refinance include:

Better Interest Rates

Interest rates in the state of Florida are constantly changing. If you took out a fixed rate home equity loan while rates were high, or if you now have better credit, refinancing your Florida home equity loan could save you a lot of money. You’ll have to be very careful though. Lower monthly payments may not offset closing cost fees. For example, if your closing costs come to $3,000 and you save $100 per month, it will take you 30 months to break even.

Avoid a Balloon Payment

Taking on a Florida home equity loan that has a balloon payment can save you money in the beginning of the loan term, but coming up with that final balloon payment can be difficult. Refinancing your home equity loan will allow you to avoid the balloon payment altogether.

Extract More Equity Cash

When dipping into your equity, it can be very hard to determine how much money to borrow. If you didn’t take out enough the first time around, refinancing your Florida home equity loan will provide all of the benefits mentioned above and allow you to extract a bit more cash from your equity.

By: Jane Hale

Mortgage Refinance – Loan Types

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:06:34 +0000

Homeowners usually have a choice of a variety of different loans when they refinance. The different mortgage refinancing loan options allow a homeowner to choose the best loan for them based on their needs. Many homeowners refinance to get cash back, lower interest rates, or change the terms of their home loan. Whatever your reasons is, here are the most popular loan options for a homeowner who is refinancing a mortgage.

The most popular loan types are fixed rate mortgages, adjusted rate mortgages (ARM), and cash back refinancing options, or home equity loans.

Fixed rate mortgages are a great, stable, loan choice. They offer interest rates which never change throughout the length of the loan. This is the loan type that is generally suggested for most homeowners. Many people choose to opt out of an ARM and into a fixed rate home loan.

Adjusted rate mortgage (ARM) loans mean the interest rates can change throughout the length of the home loan. While this loan type may not be the most stable, or cheapest in the long term, there are some reasons why a homeowner would choose this loan. These loans are usually cheaper and easier to get into, and sometimes offer a low interest fixed rate period. After the introductory fixed rate period is over, the loan is eligible to have its interest rate changed at any time.

Cash back refinancing is a great way for a homeowner to utilize the equity in their home, and get a large amount of cash back. This is typically cheaper than a personal loan, and the money can be used for anything a homeowner wishes. When a homeowner does this they are just refinancing for more than they currently owe on their mortgage, and pocketing the difference. Although the money all needs to be paid back, it is at a much lower interest rate, and spread over a much longer period of time.

While there may be a few other options, these are by far the most popular ones. Many homeowners will refinance their home in the next few months, and knowing which loan types are available will make the decision easier. Understand the different options available to you when you refinance your mortgage, and make the decision the is best.

By: Michael Petrone

Refinance? Home Equity Loans? Personal Unsecured Loan? Best Loans for Homeowners to Cash Out

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:51:45 +0000

People need or want extra cash for a variety of reasons. For some, the extra cash provide them with a feasible way to pay off high-interest debts and loans, for others the extra money offers them a way to improve or build onto their primary homes, or buy second homes for investment properties or vacation homes.

Both mortgage refinancing and home equity loans allow homeowners to choose between a fixed mortgage rate and one of several adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). But, home equity loans give you more flexibility on how much equity you want to cash out and loan repayment time options than mortgage refinances. The interest rates are lower for both these types of loans than personal loans because they are secured loans. This means you can lose your home if you can’t keep up with the payments. However, both offer the tax advantages of being able to deduct the interest paid on the loan.

Unsecured personal loans require excellent credit, but don’t involve any collateral. As a result of the lender’s increased risk, the interest rates for personal loans are higher than those of mortgage loans. About the most you can get from a personal loan is $10,000, and they don’t offer any tax advantages.

Which option you should take to cash out all depends on how much money you need and how much time you need to pay back the loan, among other factors. If you are a homeowner needing a large sum of money, a mortgage refinance or 2nd mortgage would be your best bet. In deciding between refinancing and a 2nd mortgage, keep the following in mind: “If you’ve got a favorable rate on a first trust deed mortgage, something in the 6s thereabouts or low 7s, you don’t want to pay off a $100,000 mortgage to take out $20,000 and raise the rate on the whole amount,” said Richard West, senior vice president and division manager at San Francisco-based UnionBanCal Corp. “You’re much better off borrowing $20,000 and keeping the first mortgage.”

By: Maria Ny

Mortgage And Refinance Mortgage Loans For Home Improvements

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:20:50 +0000

Depending on your situation you may need to resort to a mortgage loan or a refinance mortgage loan. You may also be able to resort to home equity loans in order to finance home improvements and both home equity loans and refinance mortgage loans will be guaranteed with the available equity on your loan in order to keep rates low.

Home Equity Loans

Home equity loans resort to equity in order to provide the needed guarantee to allow the lender to provide better loan terms. Equity is the difference between the market value of a real estate property and the amount of debt that the property secures (usually a home mortgage balance). This guarantee reduces the risk for the lender with many benefits for the borrower too.

Home equity loans provide loan terms almost as advantageous as those of home loans. With home equity loans you can obtain lower interest rates, higher loan amounts, longer repayment programs and lower monthly payments compared to unsecured loans. All of this is particularly beneficial when it comes to home improvements.

Refinance Home Loans

Refinancing a home loan consists on taking a mortgage loan and using the money to repay the previous loan. The same property is used because, once the loan is obtained, the previous mortgage is fully paid off and canceled. If the new loan provides a higher amount than the remaining of the previous mortgage debt, the additional cash can be used for any purpose, including home improvements.

These loans are known as cash-out refinance home loans and the extra cash has obviously the same loan terms as the rest of the loan which implies extremely low interest rates, low monthly payments, a flexible repayment schedule and high loan amounts. All of which are especially beneficial for home improvements.

Home Improvements Purpose

As long as the money is used for home improvements, lenders can provide you with promotional interest rates and other advantageous terms. This is due to the fact that when used for home improvements the money that the lender grants contributes to increasing the value of the property that is being used as collateral for the loan.

Thus, don’t forget to mention the fact that you are planning to make home improvements when you request loan quotes from different lenders as they might be able to offer you special loan programs to suit your needs. More and more lenders are designing exclusive loan programs for home improvements in order to attract customers who need finance for that particular purpose.

Also, don’t forget not to go with the first offer you receive. Instead, compare loan quotes from different lenders paying special attention to the APRs and the loan terms that most concern you (repayment program and loan amount). That way, you’ll be able to get the best terms on your home improvement loan.

By: Sarah Dinkins

Refinance House Loans For Home Improvements

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:20:40 +0000

There are many different situations that could require you to need to refinance your current mortgage loan. Refinancing your mortgage loan can do a couple of things, including:

* Freeing up equity in your home

* Refinancing to get a better interest rate

* Reducing how much you pay each month

You can also use refinancing to free up money in your home to spend on doing your home up. This is one of the most popular uses of refinance as it actually adds value to your home.

Home equity loans are used to provide guarantees to the lender, which should make it possible for them to offer you much better loan terms. Equity is simply the difference between the value of the house, and the amount of money you owe on the property. You’ve no doubt heard of negative equity, this is when you owe more than your house is worth. Fortunately this is not very common at the moment.

As the house is hopefully worth more than you owe there is more money that can be released from the property. By guaranteeing the loan against the home it reduces the risk for the lender.

Home equity loans can offer loan terms that are almost as good as other home loans. You can often get cheaper interest rate loans using home equity loans, you can also borrow larger amounts of money, and lower monthly payments.

Home equity loans can do all of this because the loan is secured against the property, therefore there is minimal risk for the lender.

Refinancing a home loan works by taking out a new mortgage loan, and using the money to repay the existing mortgage. These loans are actually known as a cash out home loan, this simply means that you are borrowing more money than you currently owe. The remainder of the money that is not used to pay off your existing debts is given to you as a lump payment. This is very beneficial for whatever you need to do, including home improvements.

If the money intends to be used for home improvements, then most lenders will offer special discount interest rates and other special terms. This is because spending money doing your home up should actually increase the value of your home, so meaning there is more equity in your home.

Make sure you mention you intend to use the money for home improvements when applying for you loan, as you want to benefit from any discounts you can possibly get. If you look hard enough you will be able to find a lender that can offer special offers that may suit your needs.

Many lenders nowadays are designing loan programs that are aimed at people who are doing their houses up.

The most important thing when taking out a refinance loan is not to go with the first one you find, you must compare options. Choosing the first option may not be the best choice, by getting a number of quotes, you may be able to negotiate.

By: David Faulkner

Indiana Refinance Loans – Zero Equity Home Equity Loans

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:21:23 +0000

During the last year, property values have declined in some areas of Indiana. This can make it a little difficult to dip into your equity and get the cash you need to pay off debts, college tuition, and home improvement costs. However, it is possible; zero equity home equity loans are available. There are a few catches, which is why you will want to do your homework before applying. Here are a few things you can expect when it comes to zero equity home equity loans:

Private Mortgage Insurance

If you get a new mortgage and finance more than 80 percent of the value, you will be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). The same rule applies with zero equity home equity loans. The premiums for your PMI will vary depending on your lender and the amount that you borrow, but you can expect to add anywhere from $20 to $150 to your payment each month. You will be required to carry this insurance until you have built up 20 percent equity in your home.

Higher Interest Rates

Indiana home equity loan rates currently average 7.64 percent. If you will be getting a zero equity home equity loan, you will be paying a rate that is at least 2 to 6 percent higher. As with any loan, your rate will depend on your credit history, the amount you borrow, the lender you choose, and other various circumstances.

More Risk

Zero equity home equity loans aren’t right for everyone. Before applying, you will want to assess the risk factor, as well as the amount of time you plan to keep the home. If you find yourself in financial trouble, you will be hard pressed to get any more money out of your property. You may also find it difficult to recoup the money on your loans if you decide to sell.

By: Jane A. Hale

Refinancing Home Loans and Home Equity Loans Can Save You Money

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:51:47 +0000

Texas mortgage brokers can offer you the best advice about refinancing your home loan and what offers are available for low-interest Texas home equity loans. Interest rates are in decline right now, and this makes it a good time to think about a refinance, as well as picking up a home equity loan.

Texas home loans can be available in both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loan instruments. Fixed-rate Texas home loans make for a regular payment amount due each month, making it easier to budget for the payment. Adjustable mortgages, or ARMs, offer the benefit of a small interest payment for the grace period of the loan, after which it adjusts according the current interest rate. For a short-term loan for a home that you plan on selling in five years or less, this could be a good option for you.

You might decide to look into Texas home equity loans if you need money for a special project or to pay off larger bills. This is a type of loan that is also called a second mortgage. You can take a loan out on the amount of equity you have built up in the home, and this is the basis of Texas home equity loans. The money can be used for any purpose.

Because interest rates are currently quite low, many home owners are refinancing their Texas home loans. What happens is that if the interest rate has dropped since the time you first took out your mortgage, you can save money by refinancing your loan to take advantage of the lower interest rate. At the time of refinancing, many Texas mortgage brokers can recommend a home equity loan that would work for you, and by performing both transactions at the same time, you will often save money in finance charges and fees.

Texas mortgage brokers can provide you with a wide variety of loans so that you can examine each one in detail. The brokers can answer all of your questions, and even, based on your credit score and financing, offer recommendations as to which loans may work best for your financial situation and long-term financial goals and needs. Texas mortgage brokers can give you different term lengths of loans, and can do the amortization and math so that you can compare each offer side-by-side and determine the one most suitable for you and your family’s future.

By: Anne Harvester

Home Equity Loans vs. Refinance Loans

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:14:48 +0000

To many people, there seems to be very little difference between a home equity loan and a refinance loan. However, there are some differences. You will find that a home equity loan, whether it looks like a more traditional loan or a line of credit, offers a little more flexibility. However, the refinance loan usually offers a lower interest rate. Both types of loans, however, have interest that is tax deductible. Make sure you understand the features of both before making a decision between home equity loans vs. refinance loans.

Home Equity Loans

Included in home equity loans are home equity lines of credit. You can decide how much of your equity you want to use as collateral for the loan. Equity is how much you “own” of your home. It is the difference between how much you have left to pay on your home loan and how much your home is worth on the current market. You can borrow part of your equity, or you can borrow all of it. Additionally, you can choose how you want to receive the money: as a lump sum or as a line of credit. This can allow you some flexibility. If you choose the line of credit, you don’t have to borrow up to the limit, but more is available if you need it.

Refinance Loans

While some of the accumulated equity in your home is used in a refinance loan, the loan is really meant to establish new terms for your loan. The entire mortgage is redone, and some of the accumulated equity you have can be added in for a “cash out,” where you take cash and your home is refinanced for an amount that is higher over all. You have no decision as to how to take your loan. It is lump sum. It is applied to “pay off” your “old” mortgage, and the remainder, the “cash out” portion, is given to you. Usually, it is possible to spread the terms out over a longer period of time than a home equity loan, and you usually end up with a lower interest rate.

Home Equity Loans vs. Refinance Loans: Which is Best For You?

You have to decide which would work best for you. If your purpose is to mainly to fix an interest rate or change the loan term to something longer or shorter, and maybe get a little extra cash to pay some bills or take a vacation, the home refinance loan may work best for you. However, if you are looking for flexibility, and you are not sure exactly how much you need, a home equity loan, in the form of a line of credit, might be your best option. Do your research, though, and shop around for a loan that suits your specific needs.

By: L. Sampson