What Are Home Equity Loans?

A home equity loan is simply borrowing on the difference of the value of your home and the outstanding mortgage on the house. Lets say, you have bought a home worth $50,000 some time back, after making a down payment of $5,000. The value of your home has now appreciated to $60,000. The difference between the present value of your home ($60,000) and the outstanding payment ($45,000) is $15,000. This is the amount of the home equity loan that you can apply for.

Home equity loans are normally called second mortgages, as they are normally for a lesser tenor than an existing first mortgage. However, one "caveat" that borrowers need to be very careful of is that in the event of default, the lender can foreclose on the house. Home equity loans have become hugely popular recently because of falling interest rates and tax deductions on interest repayments. Moreover, since a home equity loan has the house as collateral, the interest rates on such loans are normally lower than on other types of loans.

Due to the nature of a home equity loan, borrowers normally belong to the middle-aged bracket earning a decent income. As a result of this, the default rate among home equity loan borrowers is very low.

There are two broad types of home equity loans:

Fixed loans, which are very good for people who want some discipline in their repayment schedules. These are just like a normal term loan.

Line of credit, (HELOC) which offers more flexibility to the borrower in terms of repayment schedules and floating rate of interest.

So, still waiting to remodel your home or buy that set of wheels? Go for that home loan now!

Home Equity Loans - Rates, in depth articles and professional second mortgage advice. Find the lowest home equity loans rates and lenders.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Fixed Versus Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Which One Should You Choose?Choosing between a fixed rate loan... Read More

Who Could Benefit From A Reverse Mortgage?

What is a "Reverse Mortgage?"Also known as a Home Equity... Read More

Keep Your Eye Focused on Treasury Bond Rates To Adjust Your Current Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates typically are based off the current rates of... Read More

Mortgage Information

A mortgage is borrowing money using property as a security,... Read More

Obtaining a Home Equity Loan Online

Private lenders, banks, and mortgage companies are all setting up... Read More

Home Loans -- Federal Regulators Warn Lenders to Be More Careful

Federal banking regulators have recently expressed some concern over the... Read More

Refinancing Online - Get The Best Refinance Home Loan You Can Get

When going to refinance or get a mortgage loan quote,... Read More

How to Get Your Home Mortgage Loan

If you are thinking of purchasing a new home soon... Read More

Buying a Home After a Foreclosure

Buying a home after a foreclosure is not an impossible... Read More

Mortgage-Refinance Loan Can Put Cash in Your Pocket

Do you need cash? Here's a mortgage for you. If... Read More

Home Equity Loans Company ? 7 Key Questions to Help You Choose One

Choosing the right home equity loan can be tricky; you... Read More

Buying a Home With Poor Credit Is Easier Than Ever

Buying a home with poor credit is easier than ever... Read More

Mortgage and Credit Card Companies Under the Spotlight on Consumer Charging

For the first time since May 1996 reports have indicated... Read More

Buying a Home With Bad Credit - Why a Recent Bankruptcy Will Not Stop You From Getting Approved

Buying a home with bad credit is possible with the... Read More

Construction Loan Basics

It might not be too big of an exaggeration to... Read More

Understand a Real Estate Appraisal

Happy New Year. Make a difference this year. "Pay it... Read More

Advantages Of Mortgage Pre-Approval

There are several advantages to getting mortgage pre-approval before looking... Read More

Homebuyers Loan Guide

If you are a homebuyer, there are a few points... Read More

Cash Out Refinance Mortgage Loans ? Home Equity, 2nd Mortgage or Cash Out Refinance Loan

There are some definite benefits to doing a cash out... Read More

Home Loans and Mortgages ? Time to Consolidate Loans?

Home equity loans and lines of credit are useful tools... Read More

Mortgage Sales Hit Problems

The housing market has been buoyant over the past few... Read More

Guide to Home Equity Loans

Here is a useful guide to home equity loans. A... Read More

Refinance Your House

If you have seen all the advertisements regarding refinancing your... Read More

Life of an Escrow

Escrow is one of the last stages in the purchase... Read More

Home Equity Loan ? Still a Better Idea Than a 401(K) Loan

Anyone who borrows money is always looking for the cheapest... Read More

Bad Credit History? How Financing and Buying a Home Can Help You Improve Your Financial Situation

Financing and buying a home can help improve your financial... Read More

How To Save Thousands in Interest on Your Home Mortgage!

So you have a mortgage on your home or planning... Read More

What Are Home Equity Loans?

A home equity loan is simply borrowing on the difference... Read More

Remortgage To Release Equity By Improving Interest Rate

You have been paying on your mortgage for quite sometime... Read More

Tips On New York Mortgage Refinance Loan

Many homeowners want to know if it worth taking a... Read More

Sorting through mortgage elimination programs

Mortgage elimination programs are all the rage these days. In... Read More

California Bad Credit Mortgage

California is a beautiful place to live There is no... Read More

Thinking About Re-mortaging? Read These Tips First

More and more of use are signing up for limited... Read More