Determine if an Equity Home Loan Second Mortgage is Right for You

If you're wondering whether or not you should tap the equity in your home for a loan, you may have discovered that there are a few different ways you can borrow that money. For example, you can borrow it as a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, which, similar to a credit card, allows you to draw off the balance over and over again. On the other hand, a home equity loan, sometimes referred to as a Second Mortgage, pays you the amount you borrow in one lump sum, and you can't access it again without taking out another loan. So, is an equity home loan second mortgage right for you? Probably, if you can answer "yes" to these questions:

Do You Have Significant Equity In Your Home?

Most lenders allow folks to borrow up to 80% of the equity in their home. The equity is the value of your home minus any amount you still owe on it. So, if your home is worth $200,000, and you have $100,000 left on your current mortgage, you have $100,000 in equity. Since you can usually borrow up to 80% of that amount, the maximum amount of your loan will be $80,000. Do your own math to calculate if you have enough equity in your home to borrow enough to meet your needs.

Do You Need One Lump Sum?

If you're paying for college, buying a car, remodeling your home, or need the cash for a medical bill, chances are one lump sum payment will be sufficient. However, if you'd like to use the cash for an emergency fund, or if you'll be making small repairs to your house over a long period of time, it might be better to choose the home equity line of credit since you can borrow from it over and over again.

Can You Make Payments?

With any home equity loan second mortgage refinancing, your home is used as collateral on the loan. That means, if you can't make payments on time, and you default on the loan, the lender may be able to take your house. You should only choose a home equity loan if you're certain that you'll be able to make all your payments in the future.

An equity home loan second mortgage is a smart idea for responsible borrowers who need an inexpensive, quick loan. You can check with your current mortgage lender to find out if you qualify for the loan, or you can search online for home equity lenders.

See our Recommended Home Equity Loan Lenders Online

Home Equity Loan Second Mortgage: Is a Home Equity Loan Right for You
When you submit an application for a home equity loan the lender will look at your current mortgage and your credit to determine if you qualify. The lender evaluates your credit history, household income, and the amount of equity in your home. Here...

Second Mortgage Home Equity Loan - Borrow Money for Your Immediate Needs
If you need to borrow more money with your home as collateral, there are several avenues open to you. You can get a second mortgage, a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Some people tend to think that a second mortgage and a home equit...

Mortgage Home Equity Loan - Lump Sum Cash for Home Improvement, Vacation and Paying off Bills
When you need money for improvements to your home, to take a trip or to pay off your bills, theres no need to worry about getting a loan at high interest rates. If you have been paying off your mortgage and the value of your home has increased, you h...

Home Equity Loan: Use Your Equity Smartly with a Second Mortgage or Cash Out Mortgage Refinancing
If you are considering using the equity in your home for any reason, either with a second mortgage or cash back refinancing, there are several things you need to know before jumping in. Here are several tips to help you use your equity wisely and sa...

Don’t Get Taken Advantage Of Next Time You Apply For A Home Equity Loan
You might have heard a lot about the home equity loan every now and then from friends or office mates, but not sure what it is and how it works?I wonder... who the heck really can figure out all that math! All jokes aside, what exactly is a home equi...

Free Refinance Mortgage Home Equity Loan Rate Calculator Online
Free Refinance Mortgage Home Equity Loan Rate Calculator OnlineWant to know how you can calculate mortgage loan rates and payments for free?Maybe you're thinking of refinancing, taking out a home equity loan, or applying for a new purchase mortgage. ...

Getting A Home Equity Loan - For People With Poor Credit
Getting a home equity loan for those that have poor credit can pose a bit more difficultly but that does not mean that you cant get these loans. In fact, a home equity loan is likely to be one of the many types of loans that you can tap into for les...

Home Equity Loan - 3 Things to Consider Even Before Going for One
What's home equity loan? Before you dwell into that, you must understand first the concept of home equity. By definition, it's the home's value, the amount of which is more than the balance of your loan. For example, if the total worth of your home i...

How to Refinance Your Credit Card Debt with a Home Equity Loan
Are you burdened with a pile of credit card debt? Are you seeking options to reduce your debt? Run a search through the Internet, or seek some financial advice and you will realize that there are many ways you can achieve your objective. If you posse...

Home Equity Line of Credit, Bad Credit Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Mortgage
Need to borrow money? home equity lines of credit can be a great source. Home equity lines of credit may provide you with large amounts of cash at relatively low interest rates. With sites like e-loan.com, myhomeloanexpert.com, ameriquestmortgage.com...