Archive for December, 2009

Interest-Only Home Equity Lines of Credit and Second Mortgage Refinancing

December 30th, 2009



Interest-only home equity loans are second mortgages that you pay only interest for the first 3, 5, or 10 years of the loan, significantly lowering mortgage payments during the first few years. Home equity lines of credit have been increasing in popularity because the mortgage lender only requires the borrower to make an interest only payment that tends to be less than the standard principal and interest payment.

Interest-only second mortgage loans:

• Increased cash flow with reduced mortgage payments during the first few years than conventional mortgages, because initially you’re only paying interest.

• Increased purchase power to buy a higher-priced home than you could otherwise afford.

• Can help you in an emergency.

• Lower monthly payments with debt consolidation.

• Enable you to access funds for investing in a rising real estate market.

Interest only equity loans are not just for purchase loans. Many people refinance with interest-only loans to lower payments and consolidate debt.. There are also several varieties of interest-only home equity loans or second mortgages. These work in a similar way as those offered for first mortgages, including lower payments for affordability during the first few years of the loan.

Interest-only loans can be good for people whose income is sporadic, either because they are self-employed, are paid on commission or because they receive annual bonuses. This allows them to pay only interest during lean months, and make higher payments against the principal later on when they get their bonuses or commissions.

“These loans can be of value for people who want to save or invest the money they would have paid in principal,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, a publisher of loan information in Butler, N.J. Thus, interest-only loans also make sense for investors who invest the money they save into their stock portfolios. Additionally, they could work well for real estate speculators who buy property only to sell it later on when the property appreciates in value.

According to Brendon Daly, of BD Nationwide, “there is usually no prepayment penalty on interest-only loans, but look out for early termination fees.” In short, interest-only loans are for those who are more interested in freeing up immediate cash flow than in building equity in the home. At this time interest only options are not available with government mortgage like FHA or VA.

By: Maria Ny

Home Loan Mortgage Refinance – Getting A Second Mortgage

December 30th, 2009



Your lawyer might have mentioned a home loan mortgage refinance in connection with raising money. Finding a loan is not easy if your home is already mortgaged and you have no other collateral. This is where you should consider the option of a second mortgage.

Some people may need money not for expenses such as college tuition or home renovation, but for repaying other debts such as credit card bills. Chances are that they are already behind schedule in clearing those debts. It has showed up on their credit record, and lenders are probably wary of dealing with them.

A Second Mortgage For Debt Repayment

You can still get a loan, no matter what your credit history, or present debt situation. A home loan mortgage refinance allows you to restructure your old mortgage. A second mortgage refinance works best if you can ensure you can make much savings through it. A well-structured plan for a second loan will make sure that you do not fall deeper into a debt sinkhole.

Finding A Lender

How do you look for a lender to get you started on the debt relief process? First, you need to go online and type in the relevant keywords on your favorite search engine. Next, you will find names of many loan companies. Go to their websites and find out if they deal in home loan mortgage refinance. You can fill an online form and the lender will get in touch with you.

Always compare quotes by different lenders. This will help you choose the plan that is the best for you. Never go for the first loan plan that comes your way. A little patient searching has its rewards in the form of flexible payment scheme and low interest rates.

Lowering Interest Rates

How about lowering your interest rates through a second loan on your property? You can shop around for the lowest interest rates. Of course, you get low interest rates automatically if your credit record is sound. In many cases, your credit record may be poor, but do not lose heart. If you look through many plans, you can find one that is ideal for you. A broker may be of great help here – he can help to match a lender to your needs.

To sum it up, a home loan mortgage refinance is a good option whether you want a second mortgage on your home, or have outstanding bills to clear.

By: Saurabh K Jain

Second Mortgage Lines of Credit Can Be Powerful Financing Vehicles for Investment Properties

December 30th, 2009



Many people decide to buy additional properties as investment opportunities and when the price is right you usually can’t go wrong. However, what is the best way to find money for this kind of investment. A second mortgage line of credit might be just the answer. If you already own a home then getting a second mortgage should be easy.

Many second mortgages will offer a credit line that you can keep coming back to in order to get money. At the website Cantonstreetmortgage.com it notes that a second mortgage is tied into the equity in your current property. “In most cases the interest is tax deductible,” the site explains. “Money can be borrowed for home improvement, debt consolidation, financial investments, down payment on another property or car loans.” While not all companies offer the same thing, Canton is one example offering a fixed rate second mortgage that is as low as 8% and up to 125% financing. Second mortgages can also be called junior liens or subordinate mortgages explains Bryan Wilson, a financing consultant with BD Nationwide Mortgage.

Many investors and entrepreneurs use these cash-out investments often. “[They] will often use their properties available equity to provide them with capital for investment,” explains Atlas Mortgage Corp. “A real estate investor can take out a home equity loan or credit line on a currently owned property and then use the proceeds on another property.” Additionally, it is common for entrepreneurs to “mortgage their home’s equity with a second mortgage loan to provide them with start-up or operating capital for the business.”

One thing to certainly keep in mind is that second mortgages always have a higher risk factor and therefore higher rates. Interest rates can also fluctuate on a credit line in this case and it will often depend on how much of the equity is being used from the original property. “The less equity remaining after the second mortgage is recorded, the higher the interest rate,” reports the folks at Atlas Mortgage Corp.

Another important thing to remember when deciding on a home equity line of credit versus the traditional second mortgage loan is that a second mortgage provides you with a fixed amount of money repayable over a specific amount of time. If you need a set amount of money for a specific purpose to buy investment properties a second mortgage line of credit is definitely the way to go.

By: Rita Cook