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
Posts Tagged ‘Period Of Time’
Home Equity Loans vs. Refinance Loans
January 30th, 2010Refinancing Car Loans
January 12th, 2010
Refinancing a car loan is much easier than refinancing a home loan because of the little or no extra cost involved. As interest rates continue to drop, car loans can be refinanced, which help to lower payments.
Before refinancing, it is always advisable to check if the refinancing option will actually be beneficial. If you have had the loan for only a short period of time, like maybe half of the entire term of the loan, and if you can lower your interest rates by at least 1.5%, then refinancing is a good idea.
It would be advisable not to obtain another car loan for the same length of time as the original loan since that would mean paying more in interest charges than what was being paid on the original loan.
When shopping for a loan to refinance your existing car loan, you should be aware of the fees being charged. You will be charged anywhere from $4 to $40 to change the name of the lender on the car?s title. Some lenders absorb that charge while others pass it along to the customer under the guise of processing fees.
Before shopping for another loan, it is important to make sure that your original loan is a simple interest loan and there are no prepayment penalties.
There are a few things to be aware of when shopping for a refinancing car loan. If the loan is a pre-computed loan that is normally offered by second-rate lenders, there?s a good chance the lender will make use of a formula called ?Rule of 78s.? This formula is used to determine what amount of each month?s payment goes into interest and principal.
If the lender calculates a rebate of finance charges that he says is for early prepayment, it?s best to get up and walk away from that loan. This so-called rebate is in reality a prepayment penalty, which one shouldn?t have to pay.
By: Eddie Tobey