Hello all,

I am thinking about applying for a home equity line of credit to make
some upgrades and improvements to my home.

If anyone has done this could you please explain how this type of loan
works in comparison to a 2nd mortage or a refinance.

I appreciate any information given.
Thanks for your time.

V_V

wrote:
I am thinking about applying for a home equity line of credit ...

If anyone has done this could you please explain how this type of loan
works in comparison to a 2nd mortage or a refinance.
....

There is no substantive difference between an equity loand and a second
mortgage. Theoretically the amount of a equity loan is backed fully by
obtainable equity in the home in case of default, but that's surely been
demonstrated to not necessarily be so. Rates may be slightly lower
owing to the "secured" nature but that's not foregone conclusion and
costs also may or may not be comparable depending on the lender. In
today's market where 90% of mortgages are sold by the originating
institution there may be little or no advantage in returning to them--in
olden days where lenders held the paper it usually had a major influence.

Refinancing is simply replacing an existing mortgage w/ a new one,
hopefully w/ better terms than the original owing to lower market
interest rates at the time of refinancing vis a vis original, better
personal financial situation or somesuch. Origination fees may eat up
much of the perceived gain, however, unless one is careful in evaluating
the whole picture.

--

"dpb" wrote
wrote:

There is no substantive difference between an equity loand and a second
mortgage. Theoretically the amount of a equity loan is backed fully by

snip

Refinancing is simply replacing an existing mortgage w/ a new one,
hopefully w/ better terms than the original owing to lower market interest
rates at the time of refinancing vis a vis original, better personal
financial situation or somesuch. Origination fees may eat up much of the
perceived gain, however, unless one is careful in evaluating the whole
picture.

Correct and one added bit on refinancing. You have to still 'owe enough'
for it to be worth their time generally. I did some preliminary checks on
this and most do not want to refinance only what I owe (a little under 40K
now) for a lower rate than I have. Oh some nibbled at a slight reduction
'for now' but wanted lots of money up front and were 'variable rate' vice my
fixed. My rate isnt 'great' (7.50) but it is fixed for life. Variable rate
offers came in at 6.75 and 7.00. No thanks. Had I done that, I'd be
trapped now with the higher prices I bet.

"dpb" wrote in message ...
wrote:
I am thinking about applying for a home equity line of credit ...

There is no substantive difference between an equity loand and a second
mortgage.

The major difference is that a second mortgage loan is usually for a fixed
amount and a fixed term with a fixed interest rate.

An equity loan on the hand works a lot like a credit card. As long as you
can make the payments the term can extend forever and they can milk you for
thousands in interest while you never manage to reduce the principal amount.

Either effectively and prudently used can be a valuable tool. Mis-used
either can be a bankruptcy waiting to happen.

I suggest you never use either to finance a "lifestyle" and that can apply
to unnecessary home improvements.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit www.househomerepair.com

Colbyt wrote:
"dpb" wrote in message ...
wrote:
I am thinking about applying for a home equity line of credit ...
There is no substantive difference between an equity loand and a second
mortgage.

The major difference is that a second mortgage loan is usually for a fixed
amount and a fixed term with a fixed interest rate.
....
Once upon at time, maybe. Now, not so much...altho after the meltdown
things are going back to far more conservative practices and when
whatever new regulations that are sure to come are enacted undoubtedly
it will be far harder for all involved.

--

"cshenk" wrote in message
...
"dpb" wrote
wrote:

There is no substantive difference between an equity loand and a second
mortgage. Theoretically the amount of a equity loan is backed fully by

snip

Refinancing is simply replacing an existing mortgage w/ a new one,
hopefully w/ better terms than the original owing to lower market
interest rates at the time of refinancing vis a vis original, better
personal financial situation or somesuch. Origination fees may eat up
much of the perceived gain, however, unless one is careful in evaluating
the whole picture.

Correct and one added bit on refinancing. You have to still 'owe enough'
for it to be worth their time generally. I did some preliminary checks on
this and most do not want to refinance only what I owe (a little under 40K
now) for a lower rate than I have. Oh some nibbled at a slight reduction
'for now' but wanted lots of money up front and were 'variable rate' vice
my fixed. My rate isnt 'great' (7.50) but it is fixed for life. Variable
rate offers came in at 6.75 and 7.00. No thanks. Had I done that, I'd be
trapped now with the higher prices I bet.


Holt crap! I refinanced less than $25k 2 years ago for 4.25%. I still went
with a credit card last year for a"loan" of $28k since I could get that at
3.99% instead of 4.25%. Why are you paying nearly twice that? Mine is fixed
also. I'm in upstate NY, with the highest taxes/assessments in the nation,
too.

"cshenk" wrote in message
...
"dpb" wrote
wrote:

There is no substantive difference between an equity loand and a second
mortgage. Theoretically the amount of a equity loan is backed fully by

snip

Refinancing is simply replacing an existing mortgage w/ a new one,
hopefully w/ better terms than the original owing to lower market
interest rates at the time of refinancing vis a vis original, better
personal financial situation or somesuch. Origination fees may eat up
much of the perceived gain, however, unless one is careful in evaluating
the whole picture.

Correct and one added bit on refinancing. You have to still 'owe enough'
for it to be worth their time generally. I did some preliminary checks on
this and most do not want to refinance only what I owe (a little under 40K
now) for a lower rate than I have. Oh some nibbled at a slight reduction
'for now' but wanted lots of money up front and were 'variable rate' vice
my fixed. My rate isnt 'great' (7.50) but it is fixed for life. Variable
rate offers came in at 6.75 and 7.00. No thanks. Had I done that, I'd be
trapped now with the higher prices I bet.

Oh, and no one charges ANYTHING for "fees" anymore. Seriously.

"h" wrote
"cshenk" wrote in message

Holt crap! I refinanced less than $25k 2 years ago for 4.25%. I still went
with a credit card last year for a"loan" of $28k since I could get that at
3.99% instead of 4.25%. Why are you paying nearly twice that? Mine is
fixed also. I'm in upstate NY, with the highest taxes/assessments in the
nation, too.

Probably a matter of timing involved. This is in last 6 months. Possibly
didnt find the right folks either?

On Aug 27, 8:02*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
"h" wrote

"cshenk" wrote in message
Holt crap! I refinanced less than $25k 2 years ago for 4.25%. I still went
with a credit card last year for a"loan" of $28k since I could get that at
3.99% instead of 4.25%. Why are you paying nearly twice that? Mine is
fixed also. I'm in upstate NY, with the highest taxes/assessments in the
nation, too.

Probably a matter of timing involved. *This is in last 6 months. *Possibly
didnt find the right folks either?

We did a similar thing this year. Our mortgage was due for renewal,
and as we renewed we chose to get some cash to replace all of our
windows (17 of them). I think (hope!) this was a sensible decision in
our case; while we only bought our home five years ago, our house is
our only debt. And I'm hopeful that the windows will help with the oil
bill at least a bit this year. Oil here was $1.24 a litre at the end
of the heating season last year (although we were locked in at .87).
Hate to think of what it will be this year.

Plus, our province has a home energy audit program where you pay a fee
for a before and after energy audit. Depending on which of their
recommendations you follow up on to improve energy efficiency, you get
rebates for various amounts. Windows generally get you $30 per unit
from the province, and another $30 from the federal government. $60 a
window x 17 windows helps a bit.

We went from the safety of a fixed rate at 4.69% to a variable rate
this time around. It's a certain percentage below prime for a certain
period, then goes up a bit from that. We pay the same amount each
month, but depending on the current rate, pay more or less toward the
principal. We've increased our bi-weekly payment too, so hopefully the
amount we borrowed will go away sooner rather than later.

KD

"cshenk" wrote in message
...
"h" wrote
"cshenk" wrote in message

Holt crap! I refinanced less than $25k 2 years ago for 4.25%. I still
went with a credit card last year for a"loan" of $28k since I could get
that at 3.99% instead of 4.25%. Why are you paying nearly twice that?
Mine is fixed also. I'm in upstate NY, with the highest taxes/assessments
in the nation, too.

Probably a matter of timing involved. This is in last 6 months. Possibly
didnt find the right folks either?


I just re-fied with my tiny little local bank where I got the original
mortgage 23 years ago. Their rates are MUCH better than the big banks, but
they also have much more stringent guidelines and require a credit score of
at least 775.