A second mortgage and home equity loan are the same idea. A home equity loan is a second mortgage. When you get a home equity loan you are getting another loan on your home. This means it is a second mortgage. It is being the first mortgage, which means if you default the second mortgage holder can not foreclose on your home because your home belongs to the first mortgage lender.
It can be confusing to understand everything involved with the idea of a second mortgage and home equity loan. However, it really is straightforward once you learn the basic concepts.
Why Are Second Mortgages Allowed?
It may seem odd that lenders would even give out a second mortgage or home equity loan seeing that they are limited in recovering the loan should a home owner default. However, a second mortgage and home equity loan are quite common.
Banks see loans on homes as a good investment. After all, most home owners are not going to take it lightly when their home is at risk. So, lenders know they can extend some trust to a home owner.
The risk of a second mortgage is lowered through higher interest rates and additional fees. The bank also has the option of buying out the first mortgage and then going ahead with a foreclosure, so they are not completely out of luck should you default.
Why Get a Second Mortgage?
You may wonder why you should even consider a second mortgage and home equity loan. The reason to consider one is that it is a great way to get use of the equity in your home without having to sell your home.
You have this great asset at your disposal but without a second mortgage you can not touch it. Until your first mortgage is paid off you can not get the equity out of your home very easily and you won’t be able to get it all.
With a second mortgage you will probably not be able to get all the equity, but you will be able to get quite a bit more than if you were to sell your home. You will also pay for the loan, but it can be less than if you were to go through the hassle of selling your home.
Getting a second mortgage and home equity loan just makes sense when you need some extra money. You can negotiate good terms with the lender and get money to better your financial situation, make an investment or improve your home. This is something worth looking into when you need some money right now.
Getting into a second home mortgage is a big financial undertaking. You need to take the whole process seriously. Understand that there is a chance that you can lose your home if you default on your second mortgage. Many people wrongfully believe that there is no way they can lose their home if they default on a second home mortgage. This is not true and can be very damaging if you believe this myth.
Understand all the Terms
There are many costs, fees and rates involved in a second mortgage home loan. You have to make sure that you understand them all. You will have to watch for:
- interest rates
- penalties
- bundled options
- appraisal fees
- application costs
- points
- closing costs
All of these things can add up and make a second mortgage quite costly. It is your responsibility to watch them and make sure they are reasonable. You can always negotiate with the lender to get costs reduced. Work the deal in your favor by pointing out things that make you less of a risk, like:
- good credit
- low debt
- steady income
Watch for Hidden Costs
Sometimes costs may not be spelled out clearly. They may be hidden in small print or somewhere within the contract where they do not stand out. Two main things you will need to keep an eye out for are balloon payments and voluntary insurance.
Balloon payments are common. They are a large payment you make to end the loan. Usually you get low monthly payments in return for a balloon payment at the end of the loan. However, you have to be able to afford this payment or you default on the loan.
Voluntary insurance is often bundled into the loan. It may be something you need, but it may also be coverage you already have. It is voluntary, but usually is included unless you specifically state you do not want it.
Limitations
One last thing you should understand about a second mortgage home loan is that there are limits. You can not just borrow however much you want. There are second mortgages that allow you to borrow up to 125% of your homes equity. Usually, though, you will be limited in the amount you can borrow. Additionally, you can have problems securing good rates if you have bad credit. You have to shop around and make sure that you completely understand the contract before closing the loan.
A second mortgage home loan is a great option for extra cash. If you understand the process and the idea of a second mortgage then you will be able to utilize it better and get the most from it.
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