Nine Steps To A Successful Home Equity Loan

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

Here is nine methods to ensure you have taken measures to shield your home and your equity:

1. Browse around. Costs can deviate greatly! Get hold of some lenders like banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Inquire with each lender about the best loan for which you meet requirements.

2. Examine the annual percentage rate (APR). This APR is the most significant thing to compare when browsing for a loan. this takes into consideration not only the interest rate, but also points (one point equals one percent of the loan amount), mortgage broker fees, and certain other credit charges the

lender needs the borrower to pay, stated as a yearly rate. Mostly, the lower the APR, the lower the cost of your loan. Ask will the APR change?

3. Ask about points and other fees that you'll be responsible for. The charges may not be refundable if you refinance or pay off the loan ahead of time. Also if you refinance, you may pay additional points. Points are normally paid in cash at closing, but may be put into the loan. If you finance the points, you will pay extra interest and step-up the total cost of your loan.

4. The length of the loan. How long will you make payments on the loan? If you are acquiring a home equity loan that merges credit card debt and other short term loans, do not forget that the new loan may hold you for a longer period.

5. Monthly payment. What is the total cost? Will it remain the same or change?

6. Will there be a balloon payment? A balloon payment is a big payment normally at the end of the loan, frequently after a series of low monthly payments. While the balloon payment is owed, you must come up with the money. If you can't, you may require another loan, which signifies new closing costs, points and fees.

7. Will there be a prepayment penalty? The penalty are added fees that may be owed if you pay off the loan ahead of time by refinancing or selling your home. Prepayment penalties may pressure you to hold on to a high-rate loan by making it too expensive to get out of the loan . Attempt to manage this penalty out of your loan agreement.

8. What happens to the interest rate on the loan increase if you fail to pay? A modified interest rate provision states that if you overlook a payment or pay late, you may need to pay a higher interest rate for the remainder of the loan. Try to talk terms where this provision is out of your loan arrangement.

9. Did the loan have a charge for any type of voluntary credit insurance, such as disability, unemployment insurance or credit life, ? Will the insurance premiums be included as part of the loan? And if so, will you pay extra interest and points and increase the entire cost of the loan. Without the credit insurance how much lower would your monthly payment be ? Does the insurance cover the duration of your loan and the full loan amount? When determining to buy voluntary credit insurance

from a lender, consider about whether you actually need the insurance and correspond with other insurance suppliers about their rates.