Equity and Your Home, A Hidden Asset?

The equity you have established in your home may be one of your best assets, you just aren’t aware of the value, and many individuals don’t realize what they can do with that hidden asset. In fact, there so many uses for the hidden equity in your home that this article is only going to cover the most common.
A home-equity line of credit allows you to withdraw only the amount of money you’ll need for various home-improvements, to begin your own business, or even to finance a prospective buyer’s purchase. The equity in your home can be a withdrawal for investment purposes, 401(k) plans, or debt consolidation. What you chose to do with the equity in your home, can eliminate high interest credit card debt and convert that interest to a tax-deductible year end savings for you.
Many consumers simply aren’t aware of the possible benefit of a second mortgage, a home-equity line of credit, or simply a refinance of their current and existing mortgage. For some, the fear of the loss of their home seems to outweigh any benefit that might be had from the use of the equity, and for these homeowners refinancing or home-equity lines of credit might not be an option. For the more informed consumer, a home-equity line of credit will open many doors, and provide a growing family with needed room, a larger living room, or even an extra bedroom.
If you ever given thought to the possibility that there is a more profitable use for the equity in your home you’re probably a candidate. Exactly how to invest that money for the greatest amount of benefit will depend largely on your personal and individual financial situation; it is at this point is you should seek the advice of a financial adviser, or may be a tax planner.
Let’s take a moment to discuss the different options you have with the withdrawal of the equity in your home: a home-equity line of credit, a mortgage refinance, or a second mortgage will provide the consumer. A home-equity line of credit is simply that an extension of credit from your bank or mortgage-lender based on the amount of equity you have established in your home. The interest rate is usually a variable or adjustable rate based on the prime interest rate plus the lenders additional interest margin. Quite often the lender will accept a previous existing appraisal of the property provided that the appraisal is current within five years.
A mortgage-refinance will require more time and investment on the part of the homeowner and quite possibly a reappraisal of the property, and for this reason is often avoided by many homeowners. The upside of mortgage refinance is that many times the mortgage refinance rate is much lower than the original mortgage-rate.
The second mortgage option is really closely related to the home-equity line of credit with one exception: a second mortgage is a determined loan amount with a determined loan rate. The second mortgage option is comparable with a home-equity line of credit in that there is no need for a new appraisal, title search, or closing cost.
With any of the three options, the mortgage interest is completely tax-deductible and may be added along with the original mortgage as an itemized deduction. Regardless of the use of the funds, so long as it is classified as a home mortgage there exists a tax deduction.
What possibilities exist when you tap into the equity in your home? The uses of the money are as varied as the homeowners who borrow the money. Many times the homeowner will use the equity to improve or expand on the size or value of the home. Other times, the homeowner needs to use the equity to finance college educations, or maybe that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start their own business. Regardless of the end use of the equity, there is no safer bet than the equity you build in your home.
Often, a homeowner begins to evaluate the equity asset when he or she begins to approach the mid-point of the mortgage life, or the mid-point of their life. It is often during this phase that the financial benefits of using that equity outweigh the option to leave the equity in the home.

Mortgage Companies: Specialty Guys

Let's talk about the specialty guys, the mortgage interest companies. Why do they exist in what do they do for the average consumer? Actually a lot. Mortgage interest companies exist for the pure and simple reason of originating mortgage loans. If mortgage loans are your specialty then quite naturally you would assume you’re very good at what you do. And most of the mortgage companies are very good at what they do. So much so, that real estate prices and mortgage loan products have seen a threefold increase. What does this mean for the consumer and what does this say about our mortgage companies?
What this means for the consumer is that now there are being offered a wide range of the affordable, and quite accommodating loan products. What does this say about our mortgage companies? That today more than ever mortgage companies are creative with their efforts to accommodate a growing and varied range of customers. Mortgage companies offer mortgage loans that range from interest only, 1% interest only, to the standard fixed rate mortgage loan product. This article will take a moment to examine the mortgage companies and the mortgage products offered by these mortgage companies.
If you need to apply for a mortgage today, you only have to go online to find your nearest mortgage company and a detailed list of the mortgage products they provide. Even if you don't want to complete the application online, you are supplied with all the necessary information to make an informed and educated mortgage decision without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Almost all of the mortgage companies in existence today make use of the online environment to advertise their business and their business products. But, this is not the only avenue for advertising the mortgage companies will use. Many of the mortgage companies today use advertising venues via the newspaper billboards and radio. By far the largest vehicle of advertising used by the mortgage companies today is through the use of the television; it is via the television that you will most often hear about mortgage-company's and the mortgage products offered.
Mortgage companies compete for your business by offering lower then standard interest rates, and extremely unusual by traditional lending standards, mortgage products. The increase in the number of interest-only loan products is a testament to the use of non- traditional products in order to increase customer base. However, the consumer is a winner as far as the interest rate expense because many of the specialized mortgage companies can offer a lower interest rate than your local and traditional lending companies, such as banks. Due to the specialty of the mortgage company and the mortgage product interest rates are sometimes a full 2 to 3% lower then the rate offered through the traditional lending institution.
Factor in the advent of the online mortgage companies, such as Quicken Loans, and you have an even lower interest rate offering due to a lower overhead expense. What role has the online mortgage company played in lowering interest rates, and pulling from the traditional and physical-existence mortgage companies? The influence has been quite great; many consumers have shopped the online environment in order to obtain the low interest rates offered. Companies such as Quicken and Ditech have experienced phenomenal growth thanks to the online mortgage company existence and television advertising.

The government has greatly encouraged the growth and competitive nature of the mortgage company industry through the use of government programs such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and has empowered the mortgage companies with a means to sell existing mortgages in order to originate new ones. Apparently, the government wishes to encourage the success of the specialty companies with the specialty rates!
I believe the existence of mortgage companies, the ever-increasing range of mortgage products and a continued increase a real estate prices has helped to contribute to the stabilization of an extremely low interest rate, which in turn has fueled the growth of the mortgage companies and the range of products offered. As you can see, this is a market of interconnected affectation and the consumer seems to be the greatest benefactor. So carry on specialty guy!

Mortgages for the Investor

Not everyone that applies for a mortgage loan is a homeowner seeking to purchase their dream home, or their first home, or even their second home. Some of the mortgage market centers around individuals who invest in property for the purpose of increasing their investment portfolio, or building their retirement fund. What are the differences in the needs of the investor and the homeowner? There are some great differences, and then there are some basic values that every person seeks to fulfill when soliciting a mortgage product.
Let’s take a moment to examine the mortgage loan from an investor’s viewpoint, and determine how their needs and objectives differ from the average homeowner. As an investor, of course the objective is to make money. You want a return on your investment, preferably, as much as you can possibly get. This means that you seek the lowest interest rate possible, with the least amount of expenditure on your part.
The rising real estate prices, and the low interest rates, have generated much activity in the investment area of the mortgage and real estate markets, and many of these investors are fairly new to the investing game. So what are the best bets in mortgage loans? Interest only loans have everyone buzzing, especially the investor. Why? These loans require very little expenditure on a lot of real estate. Many of the interest only products out there today, do not require the homeowner to make a down payment, nor do they require the investor to make a down payment. Unlike traditional loans, the payment each month only requires that you pay the interest due on the principal. This equates to less cash out for the investor, and more retained for improvements to the property, or in the active solicitation of a buyer. Either way, the investor gets to keep more of his or her money, for the real objective, buying and selling.
Fueling the mortgage product market are the low interest rates, and the rising real estate prices. For many of the lending institutions, these investment properties are a fairly safe bet. Most of the investment property is in a resort or vacation area, and as the numbers go, these areas will only see increases in demand, not decreases. Also available in these areas, for investors and homeowners alike, are the jumbo, super jumbo, and 125 mortgage options. The jumbo and super jumbo require much more paperwork, normally a higher interest rate, and higher private mortgage insurance; but they also provide the huge amount needed to finance resort property during the construction phase.
The other great contributor to the real estate investment market is the coming of age for the baby boomers. Many of these individuals are reaching retirement age, and they have expendable, investment income. They prefer a safe bet, also. They prefer resort, retirement, and vacation properties, also. A great many of these individuals are investment savvy, and understand the different loan products available, and how to use them to their advantage.
It would be wonderful if the market continued to grow, and we continued to experience the wonderful effects of an ever-increasing and growing real estate market, but I’m afraid we are going to hit a few years, in a few short years, that will see a leveling, if not decline in real estate prices, simply as a result of the continued climb of these last few years.
However, for the investor today, the real estate market is a wonderful and exciting market on the move and on the rise. Take the time to seek financial advice, and in some cases legal counsel prior to jumping into the water; the need to prepare is just as necessary for investing as it is for average home ownership. The only black mark on this market would come from the volatility of real estate, in relation to the stock market, and the investor’s cash assets. If we should begin to experience problems in the stock market with heavy fluctuation, or spiraling portfolio balances, you could possibly see an effect on the real estate investing market. But, just like many other disasters, even though the possibility exists, our current market trends and projections do not lend credit to this potential threat. For the most part, the investment portfolio that includes real estate and the mortgage market seems to be climbing steadily!

Online Mortgages: The Good, the Bad, and the Useless

You're ready to buy your first home, but where do you start the search? Well it would seem today the best place to start would be in the online market; the online market offers some of the most competitive interest rates are valuable and you can apply right from the convenience and privacy of your home.
Does this mean that the online process is just 1,2,3.. and you're ready to buy? No, this means the online community is one of the better places to start. This article will take a look at the good, the bad, and the useless. Not every web site is your key to your new home; not every web site is what it claims to be. Why don't we start with the tools that are available for the novice buyer and then move into the online programs that are valuable, and finish up with the online mortgage companies?
Many of the advertised web sites do offer really useful tools for a novice buyer in order to prepare them and determine eligibility levels. Tools such as the mortgage calculator, the debt to income ratio calculator, and tools available that will determine the mortgage products that are obtainable based on your input of information are really helpful and do actually provide the potential homebuyer with working information. Normally, all of the major web sites will provide access to these tools through the use of hyperlinks; some even offer to calculate home value based on your location.
The most useful and perhaps the most often offered a tool for the perspective homeowner is the application form to pre-qualify and to have a representative contact you. There's nothing like talking to another person, especially one that is a specialist in the mortgage industry, in order for you to determine what you actually will qualify for and what you might actually want to buy.
What other options and tools are available on these web sites? Another useful and often overlooked tool is the link that will provide you with access to your credit file. More often than not, a young person tries to pre-qualify for a mortgage product and there is no existing credit history, there is no established credit score, therefore there is no hope of obtaining a mortgage. At least not without a cosigner. But if you're a beginner, and you take the time to visit web sites you can gain access to information before it’s necessary to have established plan. This in itself puts you one step ahead.
What would fall under the classification of “bad”? Here's the only item that I can truly file as a bad side effect of and online mortgage quest: your name and information is shared with all other online lenders and at some point in time your phone will ring and a telemarketer will asked to speak with you, in order to sell you a mortgage. Now, a mortgage is not really something that you impulse buy, therefore I believe this to be a waste of time for you, the telemarketer, and the online mortgage company.
What falls under the “useless” category: the web sites that offer to find bidders to bid and compete, for your mortgage business. First of all they don't gather enough information to actually compete for anything; not what mortgage company is willing to submit a bid for your business until they check your credit file, are familiar with your credit score, and know something about the property you're proposing to buy.
Now why would you even advertise like this? Well the answers really simple these web sites that offer to recruit mortgage companies that will be it for your business are telemarketers in disguise. That quite obviously earn a commission for every lead they provide for a mortgage company, and you are simply providing information to be one of their leads. It's really a simple way to search for and locate live leads, and it really does save a lot of live telephone time. So there you are a general overview of the online mortgage market, the good, the bad, and the useless.

What Can You Do With a Second Mortgage?

What can you do with a second mortgage, what can you not do with a second mortgage? There are so many options available for second mortgage money that we're going to take an entire article and examine some of those options. Home improvement, college education, business ventures, even a luxury vacation is an option for your second mortgage money.
Let's start with the more intelligent options: home improvements and college educations. Home improvements are often a necessity after several years of occupying your home; when you actually live in a home, everyday use of the home encourages wear and tear. Carpet, appliances, even the paint on the wall begins to need repair. How do you pay for that require? Operating on a fixed income does not leave room for extra repair expense, so how does the average homeowner afford such an expense? Second mortgages are the most feasible option when repairs are needed or expansion is necessary. The interest deduction on a second mortgage if the mortgage is used to increase the value of the entire home, execute repairs within the home or increase the size of the home is a completely tax-deductible interest expense.
What about college education funding? Until recently, the most affordable option for college funding and financing was the second mortgage. Over the course of the last 10 years, private student loans, increased government funding, and the increase in the nontraditional student enrollment have led to a decrease in second mortgage options as a funding option for education. It has not however completely eliminated the second mortgage is a way to pay for college education; and today many parents still find this option the more attractive, affordable, and as a whole, the least expensive option for college education funding. After all, we are simply trading an equity investment in our home, for an investment in our child’s future.
Now, let’s take a moment to talk about some of the riskier options for taking out a second mortgage or home. Sometimes, we need to take the step into business ownership; sometimes we lack the funding to take that step. The equity we've managed to establish in our homes is an excellent source for that funding but is it the best option for the funding? Sometimes the answers you sometimes the answer is no; at any rate it is quite often the option most exercised by would-be entrepreneurs. My suggestion here is this: if you're taking the money to open a business that is a continuation of your business background, a business in which you have extensive experience and knowledge, then I believe you're making a wise investment. Otherwise, I would not risk the equity and savings in my home.
Well, we looked at some of the better choices for taking a second mortgage, and we looked at some of the riskier choices for taking out second mortgages, but what about some of the just plain nonsense reasons for taking out second mortgage? What are some of those reasons? New cars, expensive vacations, or plastic surgery in my opinion would fall under nonsense reasons. But not according to the average consumer. Everyday, new cars, vacations, and plastic surgery take place at the expense of home equity savings. Or they legitimate uses of home equity in second-mortgage funding? Absolutely. Are they tax-deductible reasons? Probably not; but nonetheless, consumers use second mortgage money every day to pay for these choices.
The reasons given and listed here are but a very small few of the actual examples of consumers spending of the equity in their home. A second mortgage was a tool intended to aid the consumer and provide access to the equity in their home, equity could be used to increase the value of their home or make worthwhile contributions to their family life. And as usual, some consumers actually use the second mortgage for this reason; many consumers, don't. The second mortgage option has become like many other options in this day in time, a fast way to spend our selves into deeper debt.
At some point, the consumer will become ready to retire, retire to a home without a home mortgage payment. The way to accomplish this end is to build equity in a home and payoff the mortgage. That's one thing you can't do with as a mortgage.

Free Car Insurance Quotes - Compare and Save!
Looking for the best deal on your homeowner insurance? Find it here with one simple form. Fast, secure and easy!

 MyMagazinesBusiness

Personalized Jewelry & Custom Engravable Jewelry
14K White or Yellow Gold Small Heart Photo Engraved Pendant at PicturesOnGold.com
Picture on Jewelery
Mother's Day jewelry
Custom Engraved Photo Jewelry
Design Your Own Ring
Religious Jewelry

Upload or E-mail your digital photographs to have your photos
lasered on 14K Gold or Sterling Silver Jewelry at PicturesOnGold.com

Locket Jewelry
14k Gold Filled Lockets
18K Gold Photo Lockets Jewelry
Photo Engraved Jewelry
Sports Numbers & Charms

Gold Religious Jewelry & Religious Medals
Unique Logo Jewelry
Silver and Gold Medical ID Bracelets Jewelry
Monogram Jewelry
Hershey Kiss Jewelry
Walt Disney Jewelry
Monogram Initial Jewelry

Home & Garden Fountains
Garden Fountains

Direct Garden Decor; Garden & Indoor Fountains

PMI and the 1998 Homeowner’s Act

Let's first define what private mortgage insurance actually is, and why you might be required to purchase the insurance. Private mortgage insurance is an insurance purchased to protect the lender, not the borrower. The borrower however pays for the mortgage insurance, and this is provided to the lender instead of the 20% down payment normally required when purchasing real estate. The insurance provides the difference between the fair market value of the home and the actual price a lender may be able to sell the property for, in case of a default on the loan. Normally, the lender will require a 20% down payment and forgo the private mortgage insurance option. However, under certain circumstances if the buyer has an excellent credit rating, is well known to the lender, and is deemed to be low risk, private mortgage insurance may be an option offered by the lender.
The current mortgage market is flooded with such varied products as the interest only loan and the 125 loans and private mortgage insurance seems to be a thing of the past. You rarely encounter a situation when the buyer is required to purchase the private mortgage insurance; those situations most likely to continue to require the purchase of the private mortgage insurance are those where the lender is a traditional lending institution. Mortgage companies have long since ceased requiring borrowers to purchase private mortgage insurance.
Mortgage investors, such as the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs, have recently come to the aid of the borrower by introducing an option to the primary mortgage market that allows borrowers to pay as little as 5% down and purchase only enough mortgage insurance to cover 25% of the loan; this creates a potential citing situation for the borrower. The borrower may pay a slightly higher interest rate in order to lower the cost of insurance that the advantage lays here: mortgage interest is fully tax deductible, private mortgage insurance is not.
There's another option, also regulated by the federal government and passed into law in 1999, known as the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 established rules for regulation of private mortgage insurance requirements once a homeowner reaches a level of 20% equity. What the law requires, in layman's terms, is that a lending institution must notify you once your equity levels reach 20% of the appraised value of the home. Once you the kind of 20% equity level, you must be given the option to drop private mortgage insurance. If this proposal had passed into law some 20 years ago, it would have been met with great resistance among the lending community; today, the interest only loan and loans that offer mortgages in excess of the appraised value of the home overshadow the effect of the 1998 homeowner's act.
The regulations passed into law by the 1998 Homeowner’s Act do not affect FHA or VA loans, and many of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs have additional stipulations and requirements in addition to the 1998 law. Also, your state laws and regulations may also affect your insurance requirements. Due to the recent increases in real estate pricing, and as a result the increased level of a mortgage borrowing requests, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have increased their loan limits and private mortgage insurance limitations. They even the secondary market has a need for the private mortgage insurance requirements, thanks to the booming real estate economy.
Many homeowners seem to mistake the private mortgage insurance purchased in order to secure the loan, with that of the homeowner's liability insurance. Lenders are responsible for making clear the distinction between private mortgage insurance purchased to protect the lender versus the homeowner's liability insurance purchased to protect the homeowner. Both forms of insurance will need to be purchased, and the borrower will be responsible for payment of both insurance premiums.
The Homeowner's Act of 1998, served as a way for the borrower to decrease their monthly mortgage payment, once the 20% equity level have been established; this seems like a small contribution when you examine the mortgage products offered today, that do not require the borrower to establish any equity.