A home equity or home improvement loan is a second mortgage on your home. The amount of such a loan is based on the current market value of your home as compared to the amount you now owe. Home equity and home improvement loans are available up to, and sometimes beyond, the current value of your home. However, your interest rate will be lower if you don’t go over 80% loan to value.
Home Equity Loans as a financing tool
Home equity loans , or “Seconds,” are sometimes used for creative financing in conjunction with the first mortgage. While this is a more complicated method, it can eliminate the cost of Private Mortgage Insurance as long as the first is 80% of loan to value or less.
There is no mortgage insurance charged on “Seconds.” The interest rate, however, is always higher than on a first mortgage. The reason is increased risk to the lender. Continue reading