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Decision Time: Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit?
Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit continue to grow in popularity. According to the Consumer Bankers Association, during 2003 combined home equity line and loan portfolios grew 29%, following a torrid 31% growth rate in 2002. With so many people deciding to cash in on their homes equity value, it seems sensible to review the factors that should be weighed in choosing between out a home equity loan (HEL) or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). In this article we outline three principal factors to weigh to make the decision as objective and rational as possible. But first, definitions:
A home equity loan (HEL) is very similar to a regular residential mortgage except that it typically has a shorter term and is in a second (or junior) position behind the first mortgage on the property - if there is a first mortgage. With a HEL, you receive a lump sum of money at closing and agree to repay it according to a fixed amortization schedule (usually 5, 10 or 15 years). Much like a regular mortgage, the typical HEL has a fixed interest rate that is set at closing for the life of the loan.
In contrast, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) in many ways is similar to a credit card. At closing you are assigned a specified credit limit that you can borrow up to - not a check. HELOC funds are borrowed on demand and you pay back only what you use plus interest. Depending on how much you use the HELOC, you will have a minimum monthly payment requirement (often interest only); beyond the minimum, it is up to you how much to pay and when to pay. One more important difference: the interest rate on a HELOC is adjustable meaning that it can - and almost certainly will - change over time.
So, once youve decided that tapping your homes equity is a smart move, how do you decide which route to go? If you take time to honestly assess your situation using the following three criteria, you will be able to make a sound and reasoned decision.
1. Certainty or Flexibility: Which do you value the most?! For many borrowers, this is the most important factor to consider. Your home is collateral for either type of home equity borrowing and, in a worst case scenario, it could be seized and sold to satisfy an outstanding unpaid loan balance. People do remember the double-digit interest rates of the early 1980s and, for many, the mere prospect of interest costs on a variable-rate home equity line of credit rising rapidly beyond their means is reason enough for them to opt for the certainty of a fixed rate HEL.
>From the borrowers perspective, certainty is the main virtue of a fixed-rate home equity loan. You borrow a specific amount of money for a specific period of time at a specific rate of interest. You repay the loan in precise monthly installments for a precise number of months. For many, knowing exactly what their future obligations will be is the only way they can borrow against the equity in their home and still sleep at night.
A home equity line of credit, in contrast, is short on certainty but long on the virtue of flexibility. With a HELOC you borrow funds on an irregular schedule that meets your needs at adjustable interest rates that can change quickly. Loan repayment is also flexible: you typically are required to make only relatively small interest-only monthly payments on a HELOC. However, you have flexibility to make any size payment above the interest-only minimum or payoff the loan at your will.
2. Do you need money for a one-time, lump-sum payment or will your cash needs be intermittent over several months or years? Home equity loans are best suited for one-time payment needs (a good example is consolidating debt by paying off several high-rate credit cards at one time). This is because at the time you close on a HEL, you will be provided with a lump-sum check in the amount youve borrowed (less closing costs). While it may be empowering to have that much money handed over to you, be humbled by the fact that you will immediately begin incurring interest costs on the entire balance.
When you close on a HELOC, on the other hand, you will be given a checkbook (or debit card) that you use only as needed. So, for instance, if youre embarking on a multiyear home improvement project for which youll be writing checks at varying times, a HELOC might be best. Similarly, a credit line is probably best for paying sporadic college expenses. Interest on a HELOC is only charged from the time that your HELOC checks clear the bank and only on amounts actually disbursed?not the value of the entire credit line.
3. Do you possess sufficient financial self-discipline for a HELOC? Financially-disciplined borrowers can have the best of both worlds?almost. By taking out a HELOC but paying it back according to a self-imposed fixed amortization schedule they can enjoy both the flexibility of borrowing cash only as needed and the certainty of a fixed repayment schedule. HELOCs are typically more efficient in terms of lower closing costs and a lower initial interest rate. Also, a HELOC may be somewhat easier for borrowers to qualify for since the low, flexible monthly payments mean debt to income ratios that loan officers look at are more favorable for the borrower.
The one big factor not within the HELOC borrowers control is the interest rate (see #1 above). Interest rates will almost certainly change over the life of a HELOC. This means that a self-imposed fixed amortization schedule may need to be periodically refigured. Numerous internet sites provide free, powerful mortgage calculators that can assist you in preparing updated amortization schedules whenever needed. Some lenders are also meeting borrowers demand for greater certainty by providing HELOC products that can be converted (for a fee) into a fixed rate loan when the borrower elects.
As mentioned earlier, HELOCs are much like credit cards and the similarity extends to spending temptation. If you are a person who has trouble keeping credit card debt under control and you havent taken steps to change habits, then a HELOC probably isnt a smart choice.
You might be wondering which home equity product most people actually choose. According to the Consumer Bankers Association 2002 Home Equity Study, home equity lines of credit account for 28% of consumer credit accounts followed by personal loans (23%) and regular home equity loans (16%). In terms of dollar value, home equity credit accounts (HELs and HELOCs together) represent a full 75% of consumer credit portfolios with HELOCs having a 45% share of the market and HELs a 30% share. Of course, the popularity of HELOCs may subside if interest rates continue to rise.
Whichever home equity product you decide on be certain to shop for the best deal possible. The market is extremely competitive and there are many non-traditional options, including on-line lenders and credit unions, which should be considered in addition to your local bank.
10 Things to Look for in a Home-Equity Line of Credit
If you are a homeowner, youve probably received offers to apply for a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Handled with care, home equity credit lines can be an excellent way to improve financial flexibility, provide readily available cash reserves for emergencies, or pay for large expenses (like college tuition or home improvements) that have irregular payment schedules. But be aware that not all home equity credit lines are created equal. If you decide that a HELOC is right for you, what features should you look for? Here are ten things that should be at the top of your list:
1. No application fee (or fee should be refunded at closing) - The HELOC market is very competitive. Some lenders may charge a fee to help cover their costs of processing your HELOC application and to ensure applications are received only from seriously interested homeowners. If your lender assesses an application fee, be certain that it is refundable at closing. Otherwise, look elsewhere for your HELOC.
2. No appraisal or closing costs - The market value of your property is key to determining the amount of your credit line. Some lenders are willing to use publicly available tax assessment data in lieu of formal appraisals. Others may absorb appraisal costs to attract customers. Either way, there are enough no-cost options available that you should not have to settle for HELOC lender that charges appraisal costs or any other closing costs.
3. No account maintenance or check-writing fees - Lenders obviously make their money when you write checks (borrow) on the home equity credit line. Most lenders make it as hassle-free as possible with free checks and, sometimes, even debit cards. If your lender charges fees for the privilege of having a HELOC checking account, look elsewhere
4. No non-usage fees - The market value of your property is key to determining the amount of your credit line. Some lenders are willing to use publicly available tax assessment data in lieu of formal appraisals. Others may absorb appraisal costs to attract customers. Either way, there are enough no-cost options available that you should not have to settle for HELOC lender that charges appraisal costs or any other closing costs.
5. Variable APR equal to or near the prime rate (adjusted quarterly) - The only cost involved with a good home equity credit line should be interest charged (APR) on the balance borrowed. As with any loan, the borrowers goal is to get the lowest possible APR. Most lenders use the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal (or other publication) as a base index and charge you an APR equal to prime plus or minus a marginal percentage (e.g. 0.25%). Search for the best rate available, but be aware of low teaser rates that may suddenly change after a brief introductory period or be accompanied by special fees. Also, keep in mind that the periodic and lifetime caps on rate changes are as important as the initial rate (see below).
6. Periodic cap on interest rate changes (the amount that the rate can be changed at one time) - Virtually all HELOCs are variable rate loans meaning that the initial interest rate (APR) will change at some point as surely as the weather. A key is to understand how often the rate can adjust and how much the rate can be adjusted at one time. Of course, when rates are falling the larger and faster the change, the better for you. But more important is the upside risk you face when rates are rising. Look for a HELOC that adjusts quarterly (rather than monthly) in increments of 0.5% or less. Note: with expectations of rising interest rates, many lenders appear to be eliminating the periodic rate cap feature and raising lifetime caps to legal limits. If you have an older HELOC that incorporates relatively low rate ceilings (or if you find one), consider yourself fortunate!
7. Lifetime cap on rate increases (the amount that the rate can be adjusted over the loans life) - A good HELOC is something youll want to keep for awhile. Although interest rates have been at relatively low levels for a number of years, it wasnt too long ago that a 10% loan was regarded as a bargain! The point is that interest rates over time can rise dramatically. Youll want to find a HELOC with a lifetime rate cap that you can live with. Ask your loan officer to clearly spell out the worst case scenario for rate increases for the HELOC you are applying for.
8. Ability to convert to a fixed rate loan - When rates do rise, people often get skittish about their variable-rate debt. A useful feature to look for in a HELOC is the ability to convert the line of credit to a standard fixed-rate, fixed-term home equity loan (HEL). You likely wont get an APR as favorable as a newly issued HEL, but you also wont have appraisal or closing costs to pay if you convert. However, note that many lenders charge a fee for converting to a fixed rate loan.
9. Interest-only payments allowed - It is usually best to make regular principal payments on your HELOC balance. Yet a job loss or other emergency can make it a challenge to keep payments current. In these situations it is nice to have the flexibility to lower your HELOC payment as much as possible without increasing your loan balance or raising red flags at the credit rating agencies.
10. Unrestricted ability to repay principal without penalty - On the other hand, you also want the flexibility to pay down principal on the loan when you choose. You may get a bonus from your job that you want to apply to the loan or you may find a 0% balance transfer offer that is worth taking advantage of. In any case, a key component of a good HELOC is the unfettered ability to repay principal.
Shop around and you will be able to find a home equity line of credit with many (if not all) of these features. Keep in mind that your bank is not the only game in town. Credit card companies, mortgage bankers and brokerage firms have all entered the market and offer competing products. Credit unions typically offer excellent terms and should not be overlooked. Also, there are many reputable on-line sources that have lower overhead costs and may be able to offer better terms than the local bank.
Using a Home Mortgage Calculator
There are a variety of tools online that you can use to determine how much you can afford to pay for a home, how much the monthly payment will be based on the sale price of a home, and calculators to tell you whether it is better to rent or buy based on your personal situation. Using a home mortgage calculator online doesnt cost any money, and can be an extremely useful tool in your preparation and research for buying a home. Most calculators will have a form for you to fill out, and the most simple of them will ask you to input the principal price of the home, the interest rate, and the number of years that you will have the mortgage for, in order to determine what your monthly payment will be.
A home mortgage calculator online can also be used for determining the monthly payment of other purchases if youd like, such as car loans, or any other loan that have fixed monthly payments over a determined amount of years using simple interest amortization schedules. Simply enter the price of the item in the principal textbox of the form, the interest rate and the length of years you will be paying on the loan, and click the calculate button to find out what the monthly payment amount, including interest, would be.
You can also take the analysis a step further, and use the other available calculators online to determine if you will be able to afford the monthly amount that you had the form calculate for you. Youll need a little more information to determine whether or not you can financially afford to purchase the home based on the monthly payment, such as the approximate amount of the yearly taxes, and the total of your other monthly payments. The calculators that analyze whether or not you can afford the home will calculate how much your salary should be based on the information youve entered.
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