Tag Archives: home equity loan
Home Equity Loan online: get the best of funds
The basic function of your home is to save you from natural odds and provide a safe and secure space for you and your family. But with changing time and trend, it can also be used to meet your financial voids. How is it possible? The answer is that your home contains certain equity value, which keeps on increasing. So, when you are in dire need of some amount of money, you can resort to home equity loan online. Through this loan, you can derive finance based on the equity value, which further can be used to serve other purposes as well.
Home equity loan online, as the name suggests is a secured loan, where in the equity present in your home acts as collateral. As the loan is insured against an asset, you get to derive the loan at comparatively low rates. The money derived can be utilized to serve a number of purposes such as purchasing a car, going for a vacation, making home improvements, education purposes and many more.
This loan is further categorized in to lump sum home equity loan and HELOC, short for home equity loan for credit. Lump sum home equity loan is where you can grab the entire amount to meet your various requirements. On the other hand HELOC is a loan from where you can derive the money at regular intervals and paying it off subsequently. However, in the case of both this loan option, the monthly repayment is based on the total outstanding balance of the equity of your home.
For the application of the loans, all you have to do is to browse the internet. Online availability of the loan implies that you can access the amount instantly and that too at relatively better terms and conditions. The fact that the presence of large number of lenders results in increasing competition and this is one chief reason why you get to avail the loans at comparatively cheap rates.
A home equity loan online turns out to be an ideal choice for a home owner, as it provides the best of finances at the best possible rates.
Top 5 mistakes when getting home equity
Rates have historically never been better, so nowadays the temptation to borrow against your home equity is very strong. However, many homeowners unknowingly make costly mistakes.
Here are the top 5 mistakes people make when applying for a home equity loan.
Mistake 1 – Not Knowing The Difference between a Home Equity Loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit
A home equity loan is a one-time transaction that allows you to draw out all the funds available.
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is open; you can choose a small initial advance against the full amount of the line; then reuse the line of credit as often as you want during the period that the line is open. Your monthly payment is based on the outstanding balance.
A general rule of thumb is: use a home equity loan when you need all the money up front; such as cash for home improvements, debt consolidation, or a large one-time purchase.
If you need ongoing access to cash and revolving credit a HELOC may be your best choice.
Mistake 2 – Taking a Home Equity Loan When You Plan on Refinancing Your First Mortgage
Many mortgage companies look at the combined loan amounts (i.e., the sum of the first and second loans) even when you are refinancing only your first loan. If you plan on refinancing your first loan the lender may require you to pay off both your first and second mortgages; or close your home equity line completely.
Check with your mortgage company to see if having a second loan will cause your refinance to be turned down.
Mistake 3 – Not Knowing The Hidden Costs
If you feel you must take out a home equity loan or open a line of credit it is important to know ALL the costs. With any loan secured against your property there can be hefty insurance costs, appraisals and other fees that can cut into your loan amount.
Mistake 4 – Only Applying at Your Current Bank
Many consumers apply for their home equity loan from their home bank. This can be a costly mistake.
As in any other type of loan, be sure to shop around for the best deal. Your current bank may not be able to give you the best interest rate or the best terms.
Think twice before deciding to use your local bank; you may find that there is another lender out there that can offer you a substantially more attractive loan program.
Mistake 5 – Not Checking Your Credit First
As in any type of loan, it is imperative that you get the best rates and terms. However, if you have credit problems it will seriously affect your ability to qualify.
In fact, if your credit is not the greatest you may have no choice but to use alternative lenders specializing in hard to place loans. The solution: Make sure you go with the bank or lender that provides the best rates for your type of credit whether good or bad.
There you have it. Avoid these 5 mistakes and you could save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of dollars when you get a home equity loan.
Strategic Capital Network is a licensed mortgage brokerage specializing in helping credit challenged homeowners qualify for home equity loans.