![]() |
Home Equity Loans - Are They Right For You?The bills are out of control and you need a new car. "Maybe we can get a new carpet and paint the house", you say to yourself. These are just a few reasons why home equity loans can seem like the solution to all your problems and are so popular. Home equity loans can be a fantastic way to start your own business or to take advantage of an investment opportunity. They can also make your situation worse than it was before you got the home equity loan. The reason's for taking advantage of home equity loans are the most important part of the process. Take the time to sit down and ask yourself, "Do I really need a home equity loan? Do I want to go on a spending spree or am I really trying to improve my life?" A home equity loan is like having a second mortgage on your home. Suppose your home is worth $200,000 and you have a mortgage against it at $150,000, you will have $50,000 of equity available. Home equity loans allow you to borrow up to 80%, and sometimes more in certain situations, of your home value. In this situation you could borrow $80,000 as a home equity loan and still have only borrowed 80%. This is why it is so important to take a good look at your situation before making a decision. You can see how easy it could be to get carried away with home equity loans. Let's say you only need $20,000 for that new car and some home improvements. You decide to borrow another $15,000 of equity for that vacation to Hawaii you have been dreaming about. First of all, a vacation to Hawaii would not cost $15,000 unless you went on a first class, spare no expense vacation. Using a home equity loan to buy a car may not be a great idea with today's 0% interest rates and no money down loans. There is no sense in risking losing your home to buy a new car with these type of loan programs that are available in todays market. On the other hand, a home equity loan for home improvements may be a great idea. This will add value to your home as long as you can afford the higher loan payments. A business that's doing great that you want to expand may be another good use of a home equity loan. As long as the business is already in profit and is not losing money. Some solid investments can be a good idea if you have done your research before hand. The latest IPO may or may not be a great idea. Consolidating high interest credit cards may be a great idea as long as you close the accounts and don't run them back up. You really only need one or two credit cards in case of an emergency. Educational expenses may be a good reason to take a home equity loan to get your children started in the right direction. Someday this type of an investment can pay off. These are just a few things you can do with home equity loans. It's very easy to borrow too much, only to find yourself having a tough time making the new payments. The important thing to remember with home equity loans is to be logical and don't let your emotions get the best of you. Again, take the time to sit down and research all your options. This way you can rest well at night and not have to be concerned about losing your home. You can enjoy the things you do with your home equity loan knowing you've made a wise decision. Dean Shainin is a consultant specializing in home equity loan strategies and home mortgage loan information. To see a list of recommended home equity loans, advice and information, visit this site: http://www.homemortgageloantips.com
Can You Refinance An ARM Loan? Zing! Blog by Quicken Loans Can You Refinance a Car Loan? Kelley Blue Book Does refinancing a mortgage hurt your credit? Yahoo Finance How To Refinance Into A VA Home Loan Bankrate.com How soon can you refinance a mortgage? CNN Underscored How much does it cost to refinance a mortgage? CNN Underscored Mortgage refinancing: What is it, and how does it work? CNN Underscored Mortgage Interest Rates Today, December 3, 2023 | Rates Remain Low After Dropping Last Week Business Insider Refinance Appraisal: How It Works And What To Expect Bankrate.com Seven Hills Realty Trust Closes $29.0 Million Bridge Loan to Refinance a Hospitality Property in Anaheim, California Business Wire Is Now a Good Time for a Mortgage Refinance? NerdWallet 'Buy Now, Refinance Later' Mortgage Deals Luring New Homebuyers | Florida Realtors Mortgage Interest Rates Today, December 1, 2023 | Rates Fall Further, Boosting Affordability Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, December 2, 2023 | Rates Are Down, and They Should Drop More in 2024 Business Insider Exclusive: S.F.'s Stonestown mall owner closes on refinancing $180M mortgage San Francisco Chronicle Mortgage Interest Rates Today, November 30, 2023 | Rates Dip Even Further as Markets Eye Fed Cuts Business Insider 30-Year Refinance Rates: Compare Current Mortgage Rates Business Insider Current national mortgage and refinance rates, November 27, 2023 | Majority of rates rise Bankrate.com Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Mortgage refinance: What is it and how does it work? Yahoo Finance What Credit Score Do I Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com When Should You Refinance Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com 7 Ways To Refinance A Mortgage With Bad Credit Bankrate.com The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in December 2023 CNN Underscored The Great Pandemic Mortgage Refinance Boom - Liberty Street Economics Liberty Street Economics - Current FHA Refinance Rates Today Business Insider Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2024? What Homebuyers Should Expect Business Insider How To Choose The Right Kind Of Refinance For You Bankrate.com The Mortgage Underwriting Process Bankrate.com Cash-out refinance: How does it work? CNN Underscored Compare today's mortgage and refinance rates, November 24, 2023 - Majority of rates increase Bankrate.com How Long Does It Take To Refinance A House? Zing! Blog by Quicken Loans Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2023 Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, Nov. 29, 2023 | Rates Stay Low Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, November 27, 2023 | Lower Rates are Already Saving Borrowers Money Business Insider What Is A Second Mortgage And How Does It Work? Bankrate.com 2 Reasons Why a Free Mortgage Refinance Could Be Right for You The Motley Fool How Soon Can I Refinance My Mortgage? | Mortgages and Advice | U.S. News U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage Interest Rates Today, November 28, 2023 | Rates Stay Low as Markets Await Fed Cuts in 2024 Business Insider Today's national mortgage & refinance rates, November 22nd, 2023 | Majority of rates fall Bankrate.com Little-Known Perks of Going for a No-Cost Mortgage Refinance The Motley Fool Should You Refinance Your Mortgage in 2024? The Motley Fool CFPB Mortgage Report Finds Jumps in Closing Costs and Denials for Insufficient Income, Growing Proportion of Cash ... Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 7 ways to lower your mortgage payment CNN Underscored
|