Home equity loans are a great way to get the cash you may need - for just about any reason. It could also be enough money to fulfill some of your dreams, too, if you have lived there for some time. Many people are tapping into their home equity in order to do some things they have always wanted to do. Still, though, there are some traps along the way that can be costly to those who are not watching. Here are four things to watch for when you get your home equity line of credit.
What Is The Interest Rate?
Probably one of the most important things that you need to watch for is the interest rate on the home equity line of credit (HELOC). This will mean that you need to watch the market some and be a little patient. Wait until you see that the interest rate is good. The interest rate may be near that of a first mortgage, but will often be a little higher.
Besides the interest rate, though, there will also be what is called a margin. This is an interest rate that is added to the prime rate, and it remains on it for the life of the loan. This figure is variable with each lender, and they often will not reveal it unless they are asked. You need to ask, because this could, in some cases literally double the interest you will be required to pay.
Is There A Guaranteed Conversion - If Necessary?
Because a home equity line of credit is an adjustable rate loan, you will want to have the protection of being able to convert - if necessary. This means that if the prime rate becomes high, that you will be able to convert your now high interest loan to a fixed rate loan. Oftentimes, adjustable rate loans have no caps on the interest rates, or very limited control over the caps. Currently, there are only about two states that put a cap on it - of about 16 to 18%!
What Charges Apply?
A home equity loan can come with quite a few charges - or just a couple of them. It really is up to the lender and what they think they might be able to get away with. Many home equity lines of credit do not have any closing costs now, so look around to find one that does not.
Other charges may include a charge per check that you write. Another is a charge that will be given you if after a certain period of time you have not withdrawn any more money - often referred to as an inactivity fee. Then there may be an annual fee, or a monthly fee for participation in the program.
How Is It To Be Paid For - Amortized?
Another thing that you must look into is to find out how the home equity line of credit
loan is to become amortized. You need to know how long is the draw period - the time that you have to withdraw the funds as you need them, and when you start paying on the principal of the loan. Some HELOC's require a balloon payment for the full amount at the end of the draw period. This would require that you refinance the loan. Other plans require that you start making payments that will fully amortize the amount you borrowed, but the time period to do so may vary.
As you can see, there are many different features given by different lenders. You want to make sure that you get several quotes when you go to apply for your home equity line of credit. Then carefully evaluate and compare them in order to find the features you like and that will fit your particular need for your equity.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Dear Mr. Berr, My Great-Aunt owned a Life ...
By: John | 24-08-2008
Dear Mr. Berr, My Great-Aunt owned a Life Insurance policy, for which she had a physical certificate. It was very old (1920s, 30s/not sure of the year). My mother was the benficiary of her estate when she died in 1992 or 1993. At the time, I asked a Financial Advisor if the certificate had any value. He said it did not, but he hardly even looked at it, so I took it home. Over they ears I married, moved etc. and cannot locate the policy. I remember it being from Traveler's Insurance. I have already checked the Connecticut and New York (states in which she lived) unclaimed assets sites, but found nothing. (1) Where can I go to locate information on this policy? (2) Can the death benefit still be recovered? (3) I imagine it was a cash-value policy because of the year it was issued, so is it possible that this policy has substantial value? Thank you. John M. Loiudice
I just found out that I inherited $3,400,000. What ...
By: Mr. Lucky1 | 23-08-2008
I just found out that I inherited $3,400,000. What should I do?
I would like to know how much antifreeze you would ...
By: frank muscari | 23-08-2008
i would like to know how much antifreeze you would need to put into a small house 1000 sq ft nd how much is the antifreeze 5 gal.
thank u canleo23@aol.com
Need Immediate help!!!!!
By: emt | 23-08-2008
Do you know a legitimate lender that offers $5000 or more subprime personal cash loan for a person with bad credit and bankruptcy? Payday loans and loans with collateral will not help. i need to get out of financial debt and pay off credit cards.
Yes I was writing to know if you had any homes ...
By: James | 23-08-2008
Yes I was writing to know if you had any homes that were owner finance.
Reverse Mortgage to settle debts
By: AMeans | 23-08-2008
Just retired, but not debt free.Are considering a reverse mortgage,then use the money to try to settle with each creditor for a lesser amount than we owe.Is this realistic?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
Book Marketing: the Day That is Different for Your Career Strategy
By: Rosey Dow | 06/10/2008
Make an informed decision about the direction of your writing career--print or online, or both.
In the Lap of the Gods 22
By: Steve Morgan | 05/10/2008
For those who have read the other 21 chapters
A Week in the Life of the Single Working Mother
By: Karen Dosw | 03/10/2008
A humorous article about a week in the life of one South African, single mom with two adult children and two little ones.
Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Write for free? I can hear you saying, “Are you nuts?” Write for free, so you can get paid. Read more inside.
Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
You asked if they had a job opening. They said no. They told me “no”, too, but I got the job anyway. Read more inside.
Becoming a Reporter is Easy
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Do you want to be a reporter? It’s a great way to break into print, and the jobs aren’t that hard to get. Read this article to learn more.
Writing it Down
By: Galina Nemirovsky | 29/09/2008
Lately I’ve developed a compulsion to write everything down. Stringing words together and composing sentences in the shower, I want to write it all down – remember it – capture it. I stare at people in the subway and craft their character descriptions in my head...
The Modern Lily Tomlin
By: Galina Nemirovsky | 29/09/2008
I’m waiting in a conference room that smells like the corner of career aspiration and stale office carpet. The overly heavy and overly bitter receptionist has a voice that is piercing through the makeshift conference room with walls that only go up about 7 feet. Like an annoying hiccup, she keeps repeating “Good morning, Hudson. Your name? Hold please.” Over and over again. She is an extra large version of what the rest of the world has automated already.
More from Joseph Kenny
What Type of Loan Do You Need?
By: Joseph Kenny | 19/06/2008 | Loans
If you have ever applied for a loan, then you probably are aware that there are different kinds of loans which are available at banks, credit unions, other financial institutions, or with private lenders.
Choosing The Right Life Insurance For You
By: Joseph Kenny | 17/06/2008 | Insurance
Here is an important question for you. Have you considered the type of life insurance policy you need? For many people throughout the country, the question of life insurance is one they have no answer. They haven't even considered it. It is not always about not having the money to purchase a policy.
Be Prepared When Applying For A Mortgage
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Mortgage
It is true that most of the people in America do not have the finances to purchase a home and pay cash or the equivalent for it. The American dream is to own a home and the main objective is to obtain a mortgage for it. This is what the mortgage lenders know and most of them are willing to be of help in this endeavor.
Choosing The Right Credit Card Deal
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Credit
When you are considering applying for a credit card you probably will have several offers available. The credit card companies will spend about a million dollars a year to send us their particular offers for credit. Trying to choose which one among them that is best for you can be a hard decision to make. Should you choose the first pre-approved offer and send in the application?
Dwindling Consumer Confidence Is Not Helping the Housing Market
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Finance
e aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Government to maintain jobs and even a stimulus package sent out to assist with finances, consumer confidence is still lingering around its lowest level in close to two decades.
Choosing Between A Second Mortgage And A Home Equity Loan
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Mortgage
There are some alternatives available to the homeowner who needs financial help but does not want to refinance their present mortgage. There are however, at least two main options if some sort of equity loan is desired. You can obtain an equity credit line or a second mortgage loan and there are specific advantages and disadvantages with each one.
Defining Credit Card Finance Charges
By: Joseph Kenny | 13/06/2008 | Credit
There are other fees associated with the use of a credit card besides the actual charge from each purchase. These other costs can add to the total balance on your account that you have to pay.
Eliminate Debts For A Better Personal Life
By: Joseph Kenny | 13/06/2008 | Finance
The elimination of personal debt is always a good idea; removing debt is always advantageous in many ways. It doesn't matter who you are wealthy and have huge debts, or who are regular person with a small amount of debt.
Writing 
| Posted: 13-06-2007 | Comments: 
