Obviously, you will not have this equity or the additional expenses if you decide to live in an apartment. And if you particularly dislike mowing and shoveling and such, an apartment gives you more relaxation time. Also, depending on your outside interests, you might find an apartment with pool facilities or a workout gym or tennis courts. Needless to say, if you are single, you will find more eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in an apartment complex then you will in a family neighborhood.
What this boils down to is that you must base your decision on whether to buy a house or rent an apartment on what you will feel comfortable with while fully realizing what the future might bring. However, this decision is not only for people starting out in life. It is important to read this section because we will be discussing the possibility of selling your present house and moving into an apartment in our section on saving money.
2nd Mortgage
Second mortgages can be a very bad trap for you. That is, you have been paying on your home mortgage for awhile and can now use the part of the house you have already paid for (your equity in it) as collateral on another mortgage. Therefore, you are right back where you started from. Unfortunately, it is the person who is deeply in debt already who is encouraged to get a 2nd mortgage. The idea is that this additional loan can be used for whatever you want and it is very tempting.
We continually see TV commercials for 2nd mortgages to pay off your huge debts. Does it really make sense to you to take on even more debt in order to pay off old debts? No, you know it does not.
By: Nate Perrott
Posts Tagged ‘Collateral’
Home Mortgage – Part 4
February 6th, 2010Second Mortgages: What you Need to Know
January 3rd, 2010
At times in life it may be necessary to come up with a sum of cash for unexpected expenses or even expenses that you might not be able to afford without a influx of cash. In these cases a second mortgage can come in quite handy. Before taking out a second mortgage; however, you should know how they work and the advantages and disadvantages of second mortgages.
Basically a second mortgage occurs when you take out another mortgage on top of the existing mortgage on your home. This type of loan is secured with the property for collateral. Of course, the first mortgage takes precedence in the event that you default on the loan. Any funds that are left would then be applied to the second mortgage.
Many people commonly use second mortgages for such expenses as home improvements, the purchase of a second or vacation home and to consolidate other debts with a lower interest rate. Of course, you may also be able to use the proceeds of your second mortgage for other options but you should always keep in mind that you are putting your home at risk for the purchase and be sure you can justify the risk for that purpose.
One of the major disadvantages of a second mortgage is that the interest rate will usually be higher than your first mortgage. Lenders insist on higher interest rates because they understand they won’t be the first in line in the event that you default on the loan and they need to protect their assets, so they do this with higher interest rates. Of course, the rates are typically lower than what you could obtain with any other type of loan and much lower than credit cards.
You should also be aware that you’ll typically be responsible for some fairly significant closing costs on second mortgages. If you can’t pay those fees, you may not be able to work out a second mortgage on your property.
Due to the amount of risk involved you need to be absolutely sure you have no other option before taking out such a loan. After all, you are risking the loss of your home, so you should be sure you’re willing to take the risk as well as be relatively sure you can cover the additional loan payments.
If you do decide a second mortgage is the right option for you, be sure to shop around for rates before taking the first one offered to you. You may be able to get better terms or a lower interest rate by shopping around.
Always look over the terms to be sure of what you’re agreeing to pay. One of the most typical arrangements with many second mortgage lenders is to tie what is known as voluntary insurance in with your mortgage. Depending on the level of your current insurance policy, you may not need this additional coverage and cost. In addition, always make sure you know how much you’re paying for closing costs, such as application fees, points to get a lower interest rate and appraisal fees.
By: Joseph Kenny
Home Equity Line of Credit: Open End 2nd Mortgage Overview
January 1st, 2010
What is a home equity line of credit?
An equity line of credit is a popular form of revolving credit in which your home is used as collateral. In most cases, credit lines are second mortgages, but every now and then, they will be in first position on title. Equity lines of credit are considered open-end mortgages and have a variable interest rate and a draw period.
What is a draw period?
The draw period is the initial specified period which you are enabled to use the credit available on your equity line. After the draw period, the remaining balance is amortized for the repayment period.
How much can I borrow?
Your credit limit is determined by taking a percentage of your homes’ appraised value and subtracting the balances of any outstanding mortgages on the property. The maximum line of credit at this time is $500,000. If you qualify, the minimum home equity line is $20,000.
How do I use my equity line of credit?
Shortly after your loan funds, you will receive a book of checks that will allow you to start using your credit line.
What are the minimum payment terms?
The minimum payments during the draw period (ten years):
Interest only payments will be due each month for the amount that you accessed.
How often will I be billed?
You will receive a monthly billing statement for your home equity line.
Does my home equity line of credit have any tax benefits?
Always seek advice from your tax attorney or accountant to evaluate your tax benefits. However, in most cases the interest on your home equity line of credit is deductible up for home equity debt up to $100,000 or less and the total debt on your home is less than or equal to your home’s appraised value.
What is my maximum loan line amount?
Your maximum loan or line amount is determined by a number of factors. In most cases your total mortgages, including your requested loan or line amount, can add up to 80% and in many cases even 100% of your homes’ value.
What percentage of my homes’ appraised value can I borrow?
The amount that you can borrow varies based on a few factors. (credit, debt ratios, and disposable income) However, most homeowners can get a loan at least 80% of their homes’ value.
100% credit lines have become common for people with fair-good credit. While people with excellent credit can borrow up to 125%.
By: Sandy Sarconi