| The Home Equity Loan, which is another term for | | | | periods. Some loans offer discounted interest rate |
| second mortgage, lets the borrowers to borrow up to | | | | temporarily at the earlier periods. And, the interest |
| ninety five percent of the home equity accumulated. | | | | rates fluctuate thru out the life of the loan. Next, this |
| The home equity loan also allows the borrower to | | | | loan works like a credit card. The lender gives the |
| spend on home improvements, debt consolidation, | | | | borrower a credit limit. And, the borrower can use up |
| home renovations, vacation getaway, vehicles, | | | | to the credit limit. The main benefit is lower interest rate |
| investments, college education, or other expenses. | | | | than normal credit cards. |
| | | | Cost of Home Equity Loan |
| The home equity composes of the appraised value | | | | The costs are similar to acquire the first mortgage |
| minus amount owe. And, the borrower uses the home | | | | such as appraisal fee, application fee, and discount |
| as collateral for the loan. The collateral serves as | | | | points. The appraisal fee is paid for the real estate |
| property to guarantee repayment of the loan. In case | | | | appraiser to estimate the value of the property, while |
| of default of payment on loan, the lender seizes the | | | | the application fee is paid upon application. The |
| property. Most of the time, the loan will be repaid in | | | | application fee may include property appraisal and |
| shorter period of time between five to fifteen years. | | | | credit report. As for the discount points, it is upfront fee |
| Rarely, the loan is repaid in thirty years. | | | | to bring the mortgage payment. |
| For example, the home owner bought a three | | | | There are also closing costs. The closing costs may |
| bedroom house for $300,000 with $30,000 down | | | | include attorney, title search, mortgage preparation, and |
| payment. So, the home owner borrows $270,000 | | | | filing fees. Besides the closing costs, there are also |
| ($300,000 - $30, 000). After ten years, the home | | | | recurring costs such as annual membership, and |
| owner pays off the principal by $42,000. He still owes | | | | transaction fee. The annual membership fee is paid for |
| $228,000. At the same time, the appraised value | | | | the privilege of line of credit, while the transaction fee is |
| comes to $500,000. Using the amount owe and | | | | paid for each draw on line of credit. |
| appraised value, he calculates the equity to $272,000 | | | | Facts of Home Equity Loan |
| ($500,000 - $228, 000). Eventually, he can borrow up | | | | In a Variable Rate Loans, periodic cap, lifetime cap, |
| to ninety percent of $272,000. | | | | index, and margin are important thing to be aware. The |
| Types of Home Equity Loan | | | | periodic cap tells the limit on interest changes. Next, the |
| First Rate Loans give a single lump-sum payment to | | | | lifetime cap tells the limit on interest changes on the life |
| the borrower. And, he pays the loan on regular set of | | | | of the loan. Another, the index tells how much to raise |
| payment periods over time. The payment amount and | | | | or lower the interest rate. Finally, the margin tells |
| interest rate stays the same thru out the life of the | | | | amount to be added to the index. |
| loan. | | | | Like any mortgage, the loans have terms and |
| Variable Rate Loans, which is also called Home Equity | | | | conditions. The terms and conditions tells what happen |
| Lines of Credit (HELOC), offers more flexible on | | | | to the property in case of default, how the repayment |
| payment. Some loans offer to pay interest only at | | | | carries on the life of loan, what penalties puts into |
| earlier periods, and pay the principal gradually at later | | | | action on late payments, or so. |