Home Equity Lines of Credit Vs. Other Conventional LoansWhen it comes to getting money, you have two basic options. If you are a homeowner you can choose to take out a home equity line or credit (HELOC), or you can take out a conventional loan. Both of these products will provide you with the funds needed, but the similarities end there. With varying interest rates and repayment options, you have a wide array of choices. We will discuss the differences between these two options, and then decide on which one is best for the typical homeowner. Remember, that everyone's situation is different, so use your best judgment when choosing a loan product. You may already be familiar with a traditional loan product. These are usually based on your credit rating and your ability to repay the loan. The lender will review your past tax returns, credit score, as well as your salary. They may also factor in your income potential in the near future, if you are currently enrolled in a higher education program or up for a promotion soon. The main benefit of such a loan is that you have little at stake if you fail to repay the loan. They may have the ability to garnish your wages or hurt your credit rating, but you will be able to keep your home. The main disadvantage to this type of loan is that you can expect to pay a much higher interest rate than that of a home equity loan. You may also find yourself unable to take out as much as you would with a HELOC. A Home Equity Line of Credit is a completely different time of loan. The bank will determine the amount of equity that you currently have in your home (value of the home- amount of liens= equity). They will then allow you a credit line that is a percentage of your equity. You will likely receive checks or a bank card that will allow you to make withdrawals on your own schedule. You can borrow as little, or as much as you want as long as it is within your credit limit. You will then make monthly payments based on the balance of the loan. Most lines of credit will require a minimum payment to cover interest, but the actual payment amount is up to you. The process is very similar to that of a regular credit card, except that you have your home backing up your purchases. The main advantage to this type of loan is that you can usually enjoy a much lower interest rate, and pay as much or as little during the life of the loan. The main disadvantage is that if you fail to pay the balance off, you could lose your home. So it is important to only take out what you can repay. Which one is better? It all depends on your personal situation. If you have had trouble in the past with credit cards and revolving credit, a HELOC could be a very dangerous thing. Maxing out your HELOC has a lot more at stake than maxing out a typical credit card. So it is important that you have your finances and budget in place, prior to taking out such a loan. If your credit is poor, a HELOC may give you options where a traditional loan would not. Bottom line; understand your situation and you should have no trouble deciding the right loan product for your needs. John Ross is a freelance author, providing tips and ideas relating to home equity loans. You can find more of his articles at: home equity loan company, online home equity loans, and fixed rate home equity loan. The Loanchbox is a user friendly website designed to teach the basics behind home equity loans
MORE RESOURCES updated Sat. December / 21 / 2024 Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 20, 2024: Rates are higher than last December Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Jumped Following This Week's Fed Cut Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 18, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage servicers pressure homeowners to refinance after divorce, loss – CFPB Mortgage Professional Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 20, 2024 Investopedia Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? Yahoo Finance 5 strategies to get the lowest mortgage rates in 2025 Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 13, 2024: 30-year rate drops 18 basis points in a month Yahoo Finance Best mortgage refinance lenders of January 2025 Yahoo Finance Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2024 Bankrate.com Mortgage Refinance Rates Today: December 17, 2024 Update Norada Real Estate Investments 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Best cash-out refinance mortgage lenders of January 2025 Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 15, 2024: Month-over-month rates decrease Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Steady Ahead of Fed Announcement Business Insider Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of December 2024 Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 14, 2024: Economic factors drive rates back up Yahoo Finance Today’s Mortgage Rates Rise to 6.7% – December 20, 2024 Update Norada Real Estate Investments CFPB Report Finds Significant Drop in Annual Mortgage Applications and Originations in 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Remain in the Mid-6% Range Business Insider Current Mortgage Trends: Are Mortgage Rates Going Down? Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 11, 2024: Rates up in anticipation of CPI Yahoo Finance Current Mortgage Rates: See How Today's Rates Compare Business Insider MBA: Mortgage Applications Decreased in Weekly Survey Calculated Risk Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 12, 2024: 30-year rates drop for 3rd consecutive week Yahoo Finance Mortgage refinance demand surges 27%, as interest rates drop for the third straight week. NBC New York How to get the best refinance rate on your mortgage Bankrate.com Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 13, 2024 Investopedia Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Rise as Investors Gear Up for Fed Cut Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 10, 2024 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 9, 2024 Investopedia How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of October 2024 The Motley Fool Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Back - Sep 24, 2024 Investopedia Will Mortgage Rates Go Down In December? Bankrate.com Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop for a Third Day Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-Year, 20-Year, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 7, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Again Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 5, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Rate History | Chart & Trends Over Time 2024 The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Refinance Rates Dip Lower - Sep 30, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to Two-Month High Investopedia Today’s Mortgage Rates Rise After Fed Meeting – December 19, 2024 Norada Real Estate Investments Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 6, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to New 2-Month High Investopedia
|