|
|
| www.1001TopWords.com |
|
|
Home Equity Loan ? Not Just For Home Repairs, And Tax Deductible, Too!
Thanks to the combination of low interest rates and skyrocketing property values, home equity loans are more popular than ever. The value of home equity loans taken out by Americans has doubled in the last two years, and the market for them shows no signs of slowing down. Obtaining a home equity loan is usually a fairly simple process involving some paperwork, a credit check, and a home appraisal, and the entire process can often be done in just a few weeks. Lenders will often lend up to 80% of the value of the home's equity, and some lenders will even lend up to 125% of a home's equity. Home equity loans are quite useful, and have several advantages over other types of loans, such as credit card loans or more traditional secured loans. The biggest advantage is that the interest on home equity loans is tax deductible. The interest rates on home equity loans are already pretty competitive, but the addition of the tax deduction makes them pretty hard to beat. But do you have to use a home equity loan to improve your home in order to qualify for the tax deduction? Many people do not realize that improvements on your home are not necessary in order to take the tax deduction. While home improvement is probably the most popular reason for taking out a home equity loan, many people use them for any one of a number of other reasons -- buying a boat or RV, taking a dream vacation, or even just using the money for to debt consolidation. The relatively modest interest rates charged for home equity loans are far more favorable than the 20% or so charged by many credit card companies, making debt consolidation a pretty smart use for a home equity loan. Whatever the reason for taking out a home equity loan, be it home improvement or otherwise, the tax deduction makes it a pretty good way to borrow money. ©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to debt consolidation information and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information on home equity loans.
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Stop Foreclosure - 7 Tips to Save Your Home Faced with the threat of a foreclosure on their home, with all the weight of the mortgage industry and its army of attorneys against them, the average homeowner might feel like David facing Goliath. Stopping Foreclosures If you as an investor understand the process, you will be able to help more people! Non-conforming Home Loans vs Conforming Loans The simple definition of a "non-conforming home loan" is: You have a job and can make the payments. Your credit is used only to determine your interest rate and the loan amount to value of the home ratio. This ratio is referred to as your "LTV" or "Loan To Value". There are many lenders who will lend to borrowers who are in foreclosure or who are currently in a bankruptcy. Online Mortgage Brokers - What You Might Not Know About Home Loans & The Internet You may think that applying online for a mortgage is the same as applying with a broker in the 'real world', only more convenient. Home Equity Loan ? Beware of the lingering lien! A problem that often arises when people try to refinance their home is the discovery of a pre-existing lien from a previous loan that was not removed by the lending company. The cost of removing a lien and returning the title to the homeowner, a process known as reconveyance, is usually included in fees associated with a home equity loan. When the loan is paid off, the lender is generally responsible for removing the lien, so that public records show the property to be unencumbered. There are various reasons for why the lien isn't always removed ? oversight on the part of the lender, especially during heavy periods of refinancing, is often the problem. Occasionally, the problem can arise when a lender is sold to another company or when that lender goes out of business. No matter what the cause, a lien that hasn't been removed can come back to haunt a homeowner. If a homeowner is in the process of refinancing a home and discovers an old lien that hasn't been removed, the entire refinancing process can be held up for weeks. This can be critical if the owner is trying to lock in an interest rate prior to closing. The problem can also arise when a homeowner is trying to take out another home equity loan, perhaps to facilitate debt consolidation or home improvements. Here are a few things you can do to avoid this problem: Get a copy of your credit report. If there are any errors, particularly errors showing an open line of credit or a home equity loan that has been paid off, contact your lender. Keep your paperwork from all real estate loans, even if you have already paid them off. Then you will have them at hand should you need to demonstrate that you have fulfilled your obligations. If the lien shows up on public records or a credit report, but the original lender says that you have paid it, have them send you a copy of their documentation regarding your reconveyance.As with most issues that come up when financing or refinancing a home, this one can be resolved by remaining diligent and keeping proper paperwork. As always, it's a good idea to check your credit report regularly, particularly if you plan on taking out a loan in the near future. Poor Credit Mortgage Reigns High Among Mortgages Available to Bad Credit Borrowers Like a big brother keeping notes of the erring behaviour of his younger sibling, credit reference agencies like Experian and Equifax maintain a record of each person entering into credit transaction. While a few instances of arrears are considered admissible, as the incidence of bad credit behaviour increases, creditors start considering these as a lack of reliability. These people are termed as having a bad credit history. Be Prepared when Seeking a Mortgage When you're looking for a mortgage, whether it's a first time loan or you're taking advantage of an opportunity to refinance an existing mortgage, it may seem that you're wading through a quagmire of uncharted territory. If you're prepared ahead of time, you'll avoid some of the common pitfalls and know how to find the best deal for your situation. Refinancing Your Mortgage Can Really Save You Money Refinancing a mortgage is simply taking out a new mortgage. It means paying off one or more old debts by getting a new loan. Sometimes, refinancing your mortgage can really save you money. You may be able to pay less interest, lower your monthly payment, or convert from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan and build your equity faster. But be sure that refinancing is right for you. Short-Term Interest Rates on the Rise; Adjustable Rate Mortgage Holders Prepare for Increase in Rate Interest rates are on the rise and many home owners who have adjustable rate mortgages may see increases in their forthcoming annual adjustments. Poor Credit Home Mortgage Loans - The Role of the FICO Score If you have bad credit history and are looking to get a home mortgage loan, then chances are you are going to need to know all about how the FICO credit scoring system works. Buying A Home With No Money Down or Bad Credit - PMI Can Make It Easier Private mortgage insurance is an excellent method for homebuyers who have trouble saving money, are short on money, or have bad credit, to get into a home now. Private mortgage insurance is provided by a third party to protect the lender in the mortgage contract. This allows you to purchase a home with a much smaller down payment and if you have bad credit. You should note that this service does not protect you as the buyer; it protects the lenders such as a mortgage broker or a bank. Home Equity Loans Online If you are in the market for a home equity loan, consider an online lender. Home equity loans online are fast and easy. You could be approved in just minutes when you apply online for a home equity loan. The online lending industry is highly competitive. Online lenders are offering home equity loans with the lowest interest rates in years. When you apply for a home equity loan online, you will be assured of professional service, prompt attention to your questions, and expert advice throughout the entire loan process. Mortgage Free In 15 Years! Imagine paying your mortgage off in 15 years! Think of all the great things you could do with that extra money. What would you do? Retire early? Buy an R.V.? Travel around the world? If you could eliminate your mortgage in half the time, then your options would be wide open. Avoiding Foreclosure Scams If your mortgage company is threatening foreclosure, there are things you can do to avoid it (see my article titled "How to Avoid Foreclosure"). However, you should be aware of scams. If there are solutions to your problems that seem too good to be true, they probably are. How to Shop Around for the Cheapest Mortgage Deal Online Before you start shopping around for a mortgage, you need to establish exactly what you want so that you do not waste your time looking at deals that will not save you money. You should also learn how to compare mortgages or choose what features of the finance package are important to you. Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans - Understand the Pros and Cons of the Fixed Rate Mortgage There are many benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding if a fixed rate mortgage is right for you. It is important to look at all options when it comes to something as important as getting a mortgage for your new home. Buying a Home? Dont Get Saddled with Two Mortgage Payments I have a lot of friends and family who are currently buying houses. Many of them have had a problem with timing. In other words, they buy a house and sign a contract that says that they have to pay the seller in 30 days. (Incidentally, it's never wise to go less than 45 days.) Now, it takes two to three weeks to sell their house, and they sign a 30-45 day contract, so they don't get their money in time to help finance the down payment for the house they are buying. The answer to this problem is simple. Get a bridge loan. Home Mortgages: Up, Up and Away! Refinance NOW-before it's too late Florida Refinance - Refinancing in Florida The decision to buy a home in Florida can be one of the best you will ever make. If you own a home in Florida you may be considering refinancing. Refinancing now can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the length of your mortgage. Florida lenders are offering low interest rates and could save you thousands of dollars over the length of your loan. Mortgage companies serving Florida and the United States are able to offer loan packages that make refinancing your home a wise decision. Compare your current interest rate to the rates being offered now and see how much money you can save by refinancing your home. Home Equity Loans Categories Fixed Rate Mortgages: These loans have a fixed rate of interest over the entire term for which the loan has been disbursed. The term for these mortgages is typically between 10 to 30 years. The monthly interest payment on these loans is fixed and hence there exists a certainty about the repayment of the debt over the entire term of the debt. Another advantage of fixed rate mortgages is that the initial down payment required is very low, generally around 5% of the loan amount to be disbursed.
|
| © Athifea Distribution LLC - 2013 |
