What is the best choice for getting money out of my equity in my current home to purchase a second home?
February 13, 2009 by Debt Equity Financing
Filed under More Equity Answers
Can you answer sholly13’s question about Equity?:
I have $70,000 of equity in my current home I need anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 for the purchase of a second home. Should I refinance or take out an equity loan?
Mortgage Refinance Rates
I have $70,000 of equity in my current home I need anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000 for the purchase of a second home. Should I refinance or take out an equity loan?
Mortgage Refinance Rates
Home Equity Loans Canada- Your Questions Answered
February 5, 2009 by Debt Equity Financing
Filed under About Equity
In a November, 2007 report, the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) stated that in the previous 12 months, 17% of mortgage holders took out home equity loans or increased their mortgage. The average equity loan was $35,400.
What are people doing with all this money? Paying down debts, sending the kids to school, investing in their homes - there are many possible answers to that question. If you’ve ever considered tapping into your home’s equity, the following FAQs can help you decide whether home equity loans are the right strategy for you.
What Are Home Equity Loans?
Home equity is the difference between the market value of your home and what you still owe on the mortgage. So if your house is valued at $300,000 and you still have $260,000 outstanding on your mortgage, your equity would be $40,000.
Home equity loans enable you to borrow against that equity. These loans are also known as second mortgages because they are a second loan (the primary mortgage being the first) that uses your house as collateral.
How Much Can You Borrow?
With most home equity loans you can borrow anywhere up to 85% of the amount of your home equity. For the case above, with $40,000 in equity, the homeowner could borrow $34,000.
Some lenders have more generous options, even offering to lend 100% of the amount of equity in your home.
How is a Home Equity Line of Credit Different?
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is much the same as a standard line of credit, but it uses your home’s equity for security. With a HELOC you can typically borrow up to 90% of your home’s equity. With $40,000 in equity, you could obtain a HELOC for $36,000.
With a HELOC, you do not necessarily have to use all of the credit at once. You can use it as needed and pay back what you borrow, just like a standard line of credit.
On the other hand, home equity loans are one-time, lump sum loan. If you need more money, you’ll need another loan.
The general guideline is that a HELOC is best for those who need access to varying amounts of money for ongoing expenses, whereas a home equity loan is better suited to those needing a specific amount for one large expense, like a home renovation.
What About Interest Rates?
Home equity loans typically have fixed interest rates, while HELOC rates are variable. The interest rates for both are typically pegged to an institution’s prime rate, and are often significantly lower than those charged for vehicle loans, credit cards and personal loans.
What is Mortgage Refinancing?
With refinancing, you pay off your existing mortgage and obtain a second mortgage for a lower interest rate. With a “cash-out” mortgage or refinance you can borrow more than what you owe on your mortgage. You can then take the extra money and use it for expenses like tuition, home improvements and so on. Refinancing may include costs for mortgage fees and prepayment penalties.
What are the Pros and Cons?
On the plus side, home equity loans provide low-cost credit for important expenses. In extreme cases, the risks are that the home market slows and you end up owing more than the value of your home, or that you overspend and default, which means the loss of your home.
For many people the pros outweigh the cons. To be sure if a HELOC or loan is right for you, it is best to consult with a mortgage professional.
Thanks to Crystal Mate for contributing this article to our Equity blog:
What are people doing with all this money? Paying down debts, sending the kids to school, investing in their homes - there are many possible answers to that question. If you’ve ever considered tapping into your home’s equity, the following FAQs can help you decide whether home equity loans are the right strategy for you.
What Are Home Equity Loans?
Home equity is the difference between the market value of your home and what you still owe on the mortgage. So if your house is valued at $300,000 and you still have $260,000 outstanding on your mortgage, your equity would be $40,000.
Home equity loans enable you to borrow against that equity. These loans are also known as second mortgages because they are a second loan (the primary mortgage being the first) that uses your house as collateral.
How Much Can You Borrow?
With most home equity loans you can borrow anywhere up to 85% of the amount of your home equity. For the case above, with $40,000 in equity, the homeowner could borrow $34,000.
Some lenders have more generous options, even offering to lend 100% of the amount of equity in your home.
How is a Home Equity Line of Credit Different?
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is much the same as a standard line of credit, but it uses your home’s equity for security. With a HELOC you can typically borrow up to 90% of your home’s equity. With $40,000 in equity, you could obtain a HELOC for $36,000.
With a HELOC, you do not necessarily have to use all of the credit at once. You can use it as needed and pay back what you borrow, just like a standard line of credit.
On the other hand, home equity loans are one-time, lump sum loan. If you need more money, you’ll need another loan.
The general guideline is that a HELOC is best for those who need access to varying amounts of money for ongoing expenses, whereas a home equity loan is better suited to those needing a specific amount for one large expense, like a home renovation.
What About Interest Rates?
Home equity loans typically have fixed interest rates, while HELOC rates are variable. The interest rates for both are typically pegged to an institution’s prime rate, and are often significantly lower than those charged for vehicle loans, credit cards and personal loans.
What is Mortgage Refinancing?
With refinancing, you pay off your existing mortgage and obtain a second mortgage for a lower interest rate. With a “cash-out” mortgage or refinance you can borrow more than what you owe on your mortgage. You can then take the extra money and use it for expenses like tuition, home improvements and so on. Refinancing may include costs for mortgage fees and prepayment penalties.
What are the Pros and Cons?
On the plus side, home equity loans provide low-cost credit for important expenses. In extreme cases, the risks are that the home market slows and you end up owing more than the value of your home, or that you overspend and default, which means the loss of your home.
For many people the pros outweigh the cons. To be sure if a HELOC or loan is right for you, it is best to consult with a mortgage professional.
Thanks to Crystal Mate for contributing this article to our Equity blog:
For more information on home equity loans and equity loans in Canada contact CanadianMortgagesInc.ca
2nd Home is it better to get an equity Loan to purchase or a 1st mortgage?
February 4, 2009 by Debt Equity Financing
Filed under Home Equity
Can you answer helenta35’s question about Equity?:
We own our house fully No mortgage value approx $550k. We are thinking that we like to retire early to near the beach. Currently we found nice homes with land in that area for $175k. Is it better to get a home equity for the full cost of the Beach home plus any other small debit (approx $75k 2 cars and a timeshare) or continue to pay on the individual debits and add a Mortgage for the Beach house?
The ultimate goal would be to get settled into the 2nd home and then sell the current home pay off the balance and then put the rest in an investment with monthly dividends to use as retirement income until we reach retirement age and also maybe get a parttime job.
Get a Money-making Website
We own our house fully No mortgage value approx $550k. We are thinking that we like to retire early to near the beach. Currently we found nice homes with land in that area for $175k. Is it better to get a home equity for the full cost of the Beach home plus any other small debit (approx $75k 2 cars and a timeshare) or continue to pay on the individual debits and add a Mortgage for the Beach house?
The ultimate goal would be to get settled into the 2nd home and then sell the current home pay off the balance and then put the rest in an investment with monthly dividends to use as retirement income until we reach retirement age and also maybe get a parttime job.
Get a Money-making Website
What is the best way to pay off an equity loan?
February 1, 2009 by Debt Equity Financing
Filed under More Equity Answers
Can you answer freeworld37’s question about Equity?:
I have taken an equity loan for 300 months with an interest rate of 8.24% and making a monthly payment of $197.07. Along with making the monthly payment I am also wanting to pay this off as early as possible by paying $400-500 monthly on the principal. How can I calculate how long this will take to pay off by paying this amount on the principal and is it better to pay on the principal weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Thank you in advance for your responses!
Home Equity Line Of Credit Rates
I have taken an equity loan for 300 months with an interest rate of 8.24% and making a monthly payment of $197.07. Along with making the monthly payment I am also wanting to pay this off as early as possible by paying $400-500 monthly on the principal. How can I calculate how long this will take to pay off by paying this amount on the principal and is it better to pay on the principal weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Thank you in advance for your responses!
Home Equity Line Of Credit Rates
