What is a 125% Home Equity Loan?

A 125% home equity loan is sometimes also called aEven in this case; this loan is cheaper than the interest
second mortgage, since most borrowers take it on therate of consumer loans like credit cards and credit
top of the first mortgage. It is a loan in which thelines.
borrower pledges his home as collateral for a part ofIf you apply for a 125% home equity loan watch
the loan, and his income assures the repayment of thecarefully the small print. The terms of some loans are
rest. The lender will have a lien upon your home. As insimply outrageous. This is done by some lenders, so
the case of any mortgage, you'll have to pay this lienthat the loan will go into default and the real estate
before you can sell the property.property into foreclosure. Even if you are desperate
If applied responsibly, it can be an excellent tool tofor cash, don't jump into the first deal that you can
overcome a financial narrow path. You canclose. Only choose an established mortgage company
consolidate different forms of debt into only one. Thisthat you can trust. Even if not every lender offers
implies only one bill at the end of the month. Even if this125% home equity loans, there are still many that do.
bill is bigger, it is easier to have your peace of mind. It isThese lenders are competing for new clients and are
also easier to renegotiate the contract of your debt.in a position of offering you descent conditions.
This kind of loan is also often used by first time buyersAlso ask yourself if you really need 125% of your
who want to renovate a property before they movehome value. There are not many situations when this
in. Renovating a home can be necessary and it willis needed. The example above, about the necessity of
increase the worth of the home. Therefore itrenovating, is a good one.
guarantees the lender that its loan is well securedAdditionally in case of necessity, to pay a medical bill
against default.for example or student loan that cannot wait, putting a
However, many lenders see 125% home equity loanslien of 125% upon your home can be advisable.
as a higher risk and don't offer this sort of financialHowever, all care should be taken, if you are putting
instrument at all. Lenders that do offer 125% homesuch a high burden on your home because you want
equity loans will charge a higher interest rate on theto go on vacation or buy a car. Only use your home
loan, compared to the prime rate of a first mortgage.equity as needed, since it is your home.