Tuesday 20 September 2011

Using HELOC Effectively

By Jeremy Bronson


A HELOC can be used in much the same way as a credit card, except that you should not withdraw cash for everyday expenses or things like designer clothes, which you will be paying for a decade after buying them.

Loan like Heloc is a special type of credit line, guaranteed by the equity the customer has in his home. Heloc lenders establish the maximum amount that can be withdrawn, and the full amount of the loan is not advanced. This is the main difference between regular loans and HELOCs.

The first step is, obviously, being approved for a HELOC. After this happens, there are two periods you need to know about - the draw period and the repayment period. During the first, you can withdraw any amount up to the limit whenever you want. You will pay only the interest during the draw period, which will last up to 15 years. You are allowed to pay back the amount, in full or in part, and you will not be charged a penalty. When this period is over, you either enter a repayment period or pay back the full amount. If you are required to pay the loan in full, you may have to refinance your home. If there is no such requirement, you will be paying back the interest and the principal. The interest is calculated on a daily basis. Lenders use adjustable interest rate.

Keeping these in mind, you should know that HELOCs go with some risk. The greatest risk is associated with interest rate fluctuations, as they affect payments. In addition, you will have to pay an annual fee even if you do not use the line of credit.

Loans like Heloc should be used for consolidating high-interest credit card debt, making home improvements, paying tuition and medical bills and emergencies. Borrowers who have amassed debt on high interest credit cards may want to move this debt into home equity credit line as to lower the total amount and monthly payments.

Homeowners with equity in their homes that is sufficient to pay back their mortgage can use a HELOC to this purpose. Some owners consider it a better option than refinancing because lines of credit are not normally associated with closing costs. In order to qualify for a HELOC and use it to pay back your mortgage, you should have a decent credit score. Some persons also use home equity lines of credit for down payment when planning to purchase a new property. To be able to do this, you need to have a considerable amount of equity in your house.

The value of your home will increase if you make improvements and repairs and charge these to the line of credit. Of course, we are talking about basic repairs and/ or such determined by the real estate market and your location, not top-notch additions like installing a Jacuzzi.




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