Because of home equity loans, homeowners are able to acquire extra money for a wide variety of purposes. Moreover, these loans make it possible to tap into the equity built without selling your home. There are many home equity options. Aside from getting a loan, homeowners may opt for an equity line of credit. Additionally, there is the 125% home equity loan option.
What is Equity?
The concept surrounding 125% or no-equity home loans is very simple. Ordinarily, homeowners would acquire equity loans that equal the amount of equity built in the home. Before going any further, it is important to understand how a home's equity is determined.
Two factors contribute to a home's equity, rising home values and amount owed to the mortgage company. If a homeowner's property is valued at $200,000, and they owe the mortgage company $120,000, the home's equity totals $80,000. In this scenario, the homeowner may obtain a home equity loan up to $80,000
How 125% Home Equity Loans Differ
If applying for a traditional home equity loan, homeowners may obtain a dollar amount not to exceed the home's equity. This money can be used for home improvements, starting and operating a business, retirement, debt consolidation, etc.
On the other hand, if a homeowner is approved for a 125% equity loan, they are able to borrow more than their home's equity. Because a portion of the loan is unsecured, many lenders steer clear of these sorts of loans. However, if your credit rating is high, several mortgage lenders are ready to offer a no-equity loan.
Reasons to Beware a 125% Home Equity Loan
125% home equity loans are more fitting for homeowners who require a large sum of money. Typically, these loans are common among those attempting to start a business. Moreover, these loans are beneficial for homeowners embarking on major home improvement projects.
If home prices continue to rise, 125% home equity loans will pose little threat. On the other hand, if the housing market takes a sudden nosedive, those who accept 125% home equity loans will likely owe more than their homes are worth.
Shady lenders will offer 125% equity loans because it's a win-win situation for them. If a homeowner defaults on the mortgage, the lender forecloses on the property. However, because the amount owed exceeded the home's value, homeowners are obligated to pay mortgage lenders the difference.
By : Carrie Reeder
Home equity loan can be a difficult concept for the people who have never dealt with home ownership earlier. So, we define equity as the financial value of a property or business beyond any amounts payable on mortgages, liens, claims, etc. In short, home equity is how many houses the person has earned.
Equity is basically the difference between the market value of a property and the claims held against it. It is the difference between the price for which a property could be sold and the total debts registered against it. For example, if your house is worth $150,000 and you owe $110,000 then your equity is $ 40,000. Then, you get home equity loan depending on the credit and many other factors for $40,000 that you have built up in equity.
There are two types of Home Equity Loan:
- Standard Home Equity Loan
- Home Equity Line of Credit
Standard Home Equity Loan is the loan that is assured by your home or is secured by the equity in a home. This type is a better option if you need a large amount of loan and for long term.
Standard home equity loan is also known as Second Mortgage or equity loan. Home equity loan can help people pay off their big interest rates, non tax-deductible customer’s debt or meet some other short term needs.
A standard home equity loan is a closed-end loan that can have a fixed term, a fixed rate, and fixed monthly payments. It can carry a variable finance charge rate that switches with a federal interest rate. The amount of the loan is usually made available in a lump sum.
Home Equity Line of Credit is a loan option if you need a smaller amount of loan and for short term. This loan type provides you an option of withdrawing money from an equity account when you need it. The home equity line of credit is an "on demand" source of funds that a borrower can access and pay back as needed.
This type of loan has fluctuating rate of interest. The borrower has to only pay the interest if he carries a balance because this line of credit are essentially a revolving line of credit, like a credit card but with a much lower rate because the line of credit is secured by your home. The borrower can tap the credit line simply by writing a check, and pay back the loan as quickly or as slowly as the borrower like, as long as he meets the minimum payment each month.
Benefits of Home Equity Loan are:
- Home Equity loan can be the best option if you need to repair or reconstruct your home for debt consolidation or for medical or educational expenses.
- It can be used to get rid of credit card debts.
- It can be used to meet your educational loans.
- It can be used for investment in other real estate.
- It can be used to pay off your medical debt.
- It can be used to refinance your other debt.
- It can be used for home improvement.
- It can be used for some major purchases and expenses.
- It can be used for debt consolidation.
Home Equity Loan can be used for home improvement projects because home improvement can be costly and paying that cost might be difficult. Home equity loan provides good interest rates.
Studying in a college has become very expensive these days. Home equity loan can also be used for paying college expenses. This type of loan helps people who have financial problems so that they can afford the college expenses.
It does not matter what is your decision but whenever you take a home equity loan it should be taken from a trusted and well reputed lender. As a whole, home equity loan is a better option while taking loan because it is beneficial in all aspects.
By : Prerna Joneja
After a number years of your home purchase, a reasonable amount of equity builds up in it. Availing a loan against the equity available in your home is known as home equity loan. Being secured against your home a home equity loan diminishes the risk of the lender. So, he offers the loan in a favorable manner and that is with flexible terms and conditions.
A home equity loan helps you to let go the equity tied-up in your home. Unless this equity is gone, it remains not in use and does nothing for you. On the other side of this matter, by taking out a home equity loan you can transform the equity into hard cash. With the cash in hand you can find for any financial venture. There are many things which you can do with the amount advanced through a home equity loan.
As discussed above a home equity loan is secured against the equity in your home. So it comes with low rate of interest and provides you an opportunity to take out a big amount. But, the borrowable amount is basically dependent on the value of the equity available in your home. Then the repayment term will be extended over a long period of time; therefore you can repay the loan in small monthly installments.
This loan is very risky from the borrower's point of view. In case you not succeed to pay off the loan your home will eventually be taken possession by the lender to recover his loaned amount. So it is a necessity to look for a loan with as much favorable terms as possible. It will help you to manage the loan appropriately and to avoid failure.
The idea of obtaining a home equity loan while interest rates are low to help you pay off your bills, purchase a car, or even pay for your child's schooling may seem like a great idea. But, you should educate yourself first, learn effective strategies on it, so you know exactly what a home equity loan is and if it is really advantageous for you.
The fundamental idea of a home equity loan is that you can lend against the current equity in your home, so the more equity you have the bigger home equity loan you can obtain. In logical perspective, to acquire a home equity loan you are using your home as collateral, or the basis, for the home equity loan. If you do not pay the home equity loan back, then your home is at stake and may be foreclosed eventually. This is sobering news many individuals are not aware of, so obtaining a home equity loan requires some thought and the capacity to repay the home equity loan as well.
By : Stephen Campbell