× Mortgage Rates
Money News Business Money Tips Shopping Terms of use Privacy Policy

Refinancing Vs. Home Equity loan



mortgage interest rates trend graph

Refinancing is recommended for homeowners who plan to stay in their home for at least a year, since it will allow them to reduce their interest rate and make a lighter monthly payment. On the other hand, a home equity loan is a better choice for homeowners who need the money for specific reasons.

Cash-out refinance

Cash-out refinances and home equity loans are great options for homeowners with excellent credit and equity. These loans enable homeowners to access their equity that has been built up by regular mortgage payments and increased value of their home. A cash-out refinance is available to home owners with at least 20 percent equity, which they can use for any purpose.

The key difference between a cash-out refinance and a home equity loan is the interest rate. A cash-out refinance will lower your monthly payment by $100 if the interest rate is lower than the current rate. However, you are limited in the amount of money that you can borrow. Refinances with cash-out are usually better for people who plan to stay in the same house for many years. Cash-out refinances are not recommended if you are moving in the near future. It also comes with new fees and closing costs, which may not be recouped after a few months.


mortgage loans

Home equity loan

Home equity loan vs refinancing is an option for homeowners looking to increase their home's value. Both options share similar features like low interest rates, monthly payments, and minimum value requirements. The main difference between them is that a refinance will require a second mortgage. You must have more equity in your house. A home equity loan is, however, only one mortgage payment is required and the lender pays most fees.


Home equity loans are more convenient for those who only need one monthly payment. It's a great option for those who have made progress in their amortization. However, this option comes with higher borrowing costs, but if you can afford the higher interest rate, home equity loans may be the better option for you.

Refinance

There are two options to access your equity: a refinance and a loan for home equity. A refinance involves refinance of your existing mortgage. It pays out the difference and uses your equity as collateral. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. While both options offer lower monthly payments than the other, it all depends on your personal situation and your budget.

The principal difference between a loan refinance or a home equity loan is how much money you can borrow. A refinance allows you the ability to borrow more money, but a home equity loan will require you to make additional payments to your mortgage. However, the home equity loan offers better interest rates.


mortgage insurance

HELOC

A home equity loan is a way to borrow money from your home, without having to refinance. This loan has lower interest rates and closing costs than unsecured personal loans. Home equity loans can be secured by your home. The lender could take your house if your loan defaults. Two types of home equity loans are available: a fixed-rate mortgage and a home equity credit line.

There are different draw periods for home equity loans. The former offers a lump sum at closing and can be used to make home improvements. The second gives you a line to credit that you can draw on as you need it. However, you will have to pay interest only during the draw period and stay below the credit limit.




FAQ

What time does it take to get my home sold?

It all depends on several factors such as the condition of your house, the number and availability of comparable homes for sale in your area, the demand for your type of home, local housing market conditions, and so forth. It can take from 7 days up to 90 days depending on these variables.


How much money do I need to save before buying a home?

It all depends on how long your plan to stay there. Start saving now if your goal is to remain there for at least five more years. However, if you're planning on moving within two years, you don’t need to worry.


What flood insurance do I need?

Flood Insurance protects from flood-related damage. Flood insurance protects your possessions and your mortgage payments. Learn more about flood insurance here.


What are the downsides to a fixed-rate loan?

Fixed-rate mortgages tend to have higher initial costs than adjustable rate mortgages. A steep loss could also occur if you sell your home before the term ends due to the difference in the sale price and outstanding balance.



Statistics

  • Private mortgage insurance may be required for conventional loans when the borrower puts less than 20% down.4 FHA loans are mortgage loans issued by private lenders and backed by the federal government. (investopedia.com)
  • Over the past year, mortgage rates have hovered between 3.9 and 4.5 percent—a less significant increase. (fortunebuilders.com)
  • This seems to be a more popular trend as the U.S. Census Bureau reports the homeownership rate was around 65% last year. (fortunebuilders.com)
  • The FHA sets its desirable debt-to-income ratio at 43%. (fortunebuilders.com)
  • Some experts hypothesize that rates will hit five percent by the second half of 2018, but there has been no official confirmation one way or the other. (fortunebuilders.com)



External Links

investopedia.com


irs.gov


zillow.com


eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov




How To

How to become an agent in real estate

You must first take an introductory course to become a licensed real estate agent.

Next, pass a qualifying test that will assess your knowledge of the subject. This requires that you study for at most 2 hours per days over 3 months.

Once this is complete, you are ready to take the final exam. To be a licensed real estate agent, you must achieve a minimum score of 80%.

Once you have passed these tests, you are qualified to become a real estate agent.




 



Refinancing Vs. Home Equity loan