Tuesday, January 5, 2010

How Do I Decide Between a Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit

By John Gaddy

Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit are useful tools that provide homeowners with easy access to cash for a variety of purposes. Although alike, there are several differences that make these home equity products unique. Make sure you understand both options before using your home's available equity for home improvement, purchase of a new car, etc..

Home market values are always on the move. The difference between a home's market value and any outstanding mortgage balance equals the equity. For example, if your home is valued at $180,000, and you owe the mortgage lender $80,000, then your available home equity equals $100,000. With a home equity loan, the homebuyer may choose to access all, or part of the home's equity.

What Makes a Home Equity Loan Unique?

Home equity loans are comparable to other forms of personal loans. While, personal loans are secured with a vehicle title or some other piece of property as collateral, with a home equity loan or line of credit, your house is the collateral.

Most home equity loans offer competitive fixed rates and payments that are amortized over 15 years. At closing, the homeowner receives the funds in a lump sum which can then be used towards any purpose. As with most loans, the homeowner may choose to pay the loan off faster than scheduled.

What is a Home Equity Line of Credit?

As with home equity loans, lines of credit are also based on the home's available equity. However, instead of funds being supplied in a lump sum, credit lines are essentially revolving credit accounts. For example, if approved for a $150,000 credit line, a revolving credit account is established for this amount, and homeowners are free to withdraw funds up to this limit as necessary.

Lines of credit are similar to cash advances from a credit card. However, interest rates are much more favorable than those offered by credit card issuers. Once money is withdrawn, payoff must be completed within 10 years in most cases. Since line of credit rates are variable (using some factor of either the prime rate or LIBOR), homeowners should expect payment amounts to change.

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